CORONAVIRUS: We must get this right - Education chiefs urge cautious approach on pupils returning

Preschool children sit in a classroom in The Hague, on May 11, 2020 as primary schools, playgroups and childcare reopen amid the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). - To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, all schools were closed for almost two months. (Photo by Sem VAN DER WAL / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by SEM VAN DER WAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) SUS-201105-154746001

Some classes are due to return to English schools in the week beginning June 1, although unions have expressed concern that it is too soon.

The classes due to return are nursery and pre-school, Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary schools, and Years 10 and 12 at secondary schools.

The chief executive of one schools academies federation in the Boston area said it was vital it was managed with extreme caution with all the necessary protective measures were in place.

Emma Hadley, the chief executive officer of the Boston Witham Academies Federation (BWAF), which has secondary and primary schools, said it was essential they get the preparations for a return right.

She said: “All of the staff at BWAF’s academies are really missing seeing their children and families on a daily basis. Since the lockdown we have been proud to provide childcare provision at every one of our academies.

“We have also been providing and supporting home learning in all of our primary academies and streaming live lessons to all students in our secondary academy, Haven High.

“Our staff teams have been working hard every day to keep in touch with, and provide support to, all of our children and families - and we are extremely grateful for the positive feedback we have had from the parents and school communities.”

She said of the proposed return of some classes: “It is absolutely essential that we get this right and take a gradual approach that enables us to ensure the necessary protective measures can be put in place.

“We want the return managed with extreme care and caution, and are currently undergoing a robust and rigorous risk assessment process that has the health and safety of our pupils, staff, families and communities at the heart of every decision we have to make.

“Our trust will be honest and open with parents about the challenges we face in expanding our numbers safely over the forthcoming weeks - and we can guarantee that as educationalists our children come first in all that we do.

“We are proud of the resilience our pupils have shown to date, and have loved interacting with them and sharing their learning through social media, school websites and other forums.

“We know that many children will be anxious about a return to their classrooms in very different conditions and we are putting plans in place to support them emotionally - with their wellbeing first and foremost in our minds.”

Lincolnshire County Council chief executive Debbie Barnes said the council was working closely with schools and parents.

She said schools were carefully considering the proposed re-opening, which may not happen if there is another spike in coronavirus cases before that date as the lockdown eases.

She said: “I know this is a difficult decision for many parents, but as more people want to return to work, school provision will need to increase. Our schools are working really hard to make sure they can keep the school environment as safe as possible, whilst still supporting home learning for pupils who won’t be returning yet.”

She said it was also important that school transport was only used by those children and young people who really needed to.

“We are asking that all parents and carers transport their children to school unless they have no other option. If you cannot transport them then you must contact us. Similarly if you no longer require school transport, get in touch.”

The email address to contact for school transport is [email protected]. Find out more about school transport.