It's back to school in Skegness!

Headteacher Caroline Wellstead was back at the gates of the Richmond School welcoming children on Monday morning, her favourite place to be at the start of each day.

The Richmond School has remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic for the children of key workers and vulnerable groups but the Government has now lifted restrictions for Reception classses, and Years One and Six.

However, it was the only school in Skegness to re-open on Monday, along with a handful in surrounding villages - out of more than 200 across the county.

Teaching unions in Lincolnshire had expressed fear there is a real risk coronavirus will spread as a result.

At the Richmond School around 50 children returned in the year groups out of a possible 180.

However, Mrs Wellstead said she hoped to see more joining them once the word got around.

"It's been lovely to see the happy, smiling faces arriving this morning," she said.

"Hopefully, as the weeks go by, we will gradually get more children back in the three year groups. At the moment we have about a third - but it's nice to see the school alive again."

Mrs Wellstead said the school had made quite a lot of changes to prepare for the re-opening.

"We have had to zone off the different classrooms so the children are in small bubbles with a member of staff," she said.

"We have also had to make sure every classroom has access to anti-bacterial gel, soap, paper towels and cleaning materials.

"It's been hard work but we've got there in the end."

Staff have been incredibly supportive through the process. "Those who can return are excited to be back and parents have been accepting of everything we have put in place," Mrs Wellstead said.

"My hope is that when the word gets around we will get more children in school."

Home schooling had been well-received, as well as weekly challenges.

"The children have been amazing," Mrs Wellstead added. "We've had litter picks and cycle rides and a century a week cricketing challenge. Children have really taken on board being at home and raising money for local charities."

Ellie Stokes, aged 11, was one of the pupils glad to be back. "I'm quite excited because I haven't seen any of my friends," she said.

"Home schooling has been good but we've had some breaks now and then."

Mum Jo Stokes said they have enjoyed spending quality time together.

"I haven't wanted to push Ellie too much because school has a certain way of doing things and I didn't want her to get upset.," she said.

"We've done lots of things outside learning, such as arts and crafts and activities like walking and biking - things we don't normally have time to do.

"But it will be nice to get back to some routine."

Teaching assistant Jo Hazard had been busy keeping a handle on the hygiene side of the school being open again, organising two metre distancing signs at the entrance among other things.

She said: "We have also made sure there are enough supplies in the classrooms, such as separate packs of pens and pencils.

"Everything we do is to keep the children safe."

In Lincolnshire, the county council as local education authority has left the decision to re-open for individual schools.

Those that are re-opening have had to make significant changes to reduce the risk of spread of the of coronavirus and maintain distancing.

Martin Smith, interim assistant director for education for the council, said today: "The majority of schools across Lincolnshire are now beginning to re-open their doors to more pupils, as requested by the government.

“The decision to re-open or not rests with the schools, and we are sure that each has the best interests of their pupils and staff at heart.

“Those re-opening have introduced measures to limit the potential spread of coronavirus, such as smaller class sizes or staggered break times, helping to keep pupils and staff safe as they return to the classroom.

“We realise some parents are uncertain about sending their children back to school at this stage, and the government has said that they can continue to keep them at home for the time being if they prefer.

“There are a range of resources available to families allowing children to continue their learning at home."

A spokesman for the Greenwood Academies Trust, which run several schools in the area including Skegness Academy, said: “The health and safety of our pupils, families and staff is our top priority. We are conducting risk and capacity assessments to determine the best way to welcome pupils back to school, in a way that supports the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures, and will update parents and carers of these plans in due course.

“Throughout lockdown, our team of dedicated staff have brilliantly supported our pupils with their online learning, and have been ensuring they are in regular contact with pupils and families to check on their education and welfare. That will continue to be the case, whether that is through our remote network or smaller class sizes.”

Other schools in the area who were approached regarding their plans to open are as follows:

252000 Skegness Junior Academy Not Responded

9252004 Ingoldmells Academy Not Responded

9252005 Mablethorpe Primary Academy Yes

252014 Beacon Primary Academy Not Responded

9252015 The Wainfleet Magdalen Church of England/Methodist School Not Responded

9252159 Great Steeping Primary School Yes

9252161 Hogsthorpe Primary Academy Not Responded

9252190 Skegness Infant Academy Not Responded

9252191 Seathorne Primary Academy Not Responded

9252193 Spilsby Primary School Not Responded

9252201 Toynton All Saints Primary School Yes

9252219 Skegness The Richmond School Yes

9253118 Burgh le Marsh The St Peter and St Paul C of E Primary School Yes

9253171 Stickney Church of England Primary School Yes

9253353 Friskney All Saints Church of England (Aided) Primary School Not Responded

253366 Partney Church of England Aided Primary School Yes

254002 Spilsby King Edward VI Academy Not Responded

9255209 Huttoft Primary School Not Responded

9252045 Chapel St Leonards Primary School Yes

9255400 Skegness Grammar School Not Responded

9255401 Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy Not Responded

9256911 Skegness Academy Not Responded

9257024 The Eresby School, Spilsby Not Responded

9251118 Mablethorpe Springwell Alternative Academy Yes