‘Trying to keep our schools open is the right thing to do’
COUNCILLOR: WE MUST DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
TEACHERS and school staff are anxious and stressed about staying open during a second lockdown but it is the right thing for the students, says a leading Derbyshire councillor.
Cllr Alex Dale, Derbyshire County
Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, including schools, said he sympathised with the anxieties faced by staff.
In the first national lockdown, schools were closed to most pupils, with exceptions for children of key workers and those linked to safeguarding concerns.
However, schools remain fully open to all pupils during this second less-severe lockdown.
Cllr Dale said four or five out of every 10 schools in Derbyshire – which does not include Derby – had seen one case or more of Covid-19 in the last two or three months. He said in the week before half term, of the 69% of schools that responded to the council, three were completely closed already and 28 partially closed, with 252 fully open.
In a scrutiny meeting, Cllr Dale said: “I think it is fair to say that the second national lockdown has come as a bit of a surprise in the school sector.
“I think it is understandable that there is a degree of anxiety and stress.
“School leaders and staff and support staff are key frontline workers.
“I still believe it is the right thing to do, to try and keep schools open during this second lockdown.
“Clearly, there is always going to be a risk in terms of impact on public health and I understand people working in those settings will be anxious about that but I think we have to balance those risks against the impact of a further loss of education on children and young people.
“Some services are just too important to close. Schools have to do what they think is best and for some that
Some services are just too important to close. Schools have to do what they think is best
Cllr Alex Dale