Mrs Wright, said: “The role I was appointed to is almost not the role I have now.  In the short-term, it is going to be quite different to what it would have been if coronavirus had not happened.

“The first part in September is going to be about consolidation and smooth transition, making sure our schools are able to open with the right offer, whatever that might be, and that staff are well looked after.”

She added: “This is, as always, about every child in every year group. Some children will not have been in the school building for six months, so that transition of all students returning to school will be the overriding priority. The trust is about ‘no child being left behind’ and so we will ensure all children are transitioned back to school as quickly and safely as possible.”

As well as the Colne, the Sigma Trust is responsible for Clacton County High School, St Helena School, Stanway School, Thomas, Lord Audley School, Monkwick Infant School and Nursery, Monkwick Junior School, Harwich and Dovercourt High School, Philip Morant School and College, Paxman Academy, Alton Park Junior School and Holland Park Primary School.

• Brightlingsea Town Council’s planning committee is to discuss a plan submitted by the trust to expand sixth form provision at the Colne. The trust has made a pre-application advice submission to Tendring District Council for the demolition of the existing caretaker’s house and modular store, erection of a two-storey standalone extension including 12 classrooms with ancillary accommodation and construction of an external corridor to the existing school. The application says the intention is to create a 1500 place secondary school with a sixth form. The application is on the town council’s agenda for Thursday, July 9, but is for information only.