Safety first pledge as pupils prepare to go back to school

A SAFETY pledge has been given to parents as pupils across Warwickshire prepare to go back to school.

As of tomorrow classrooms across the county will begin to welcome back pupils, many of whom have not been to school since lockdown.

Aware that parents and carers may feel anxious, bosses at Warwickshire County Council, which is responsible for education, has offered reassurance that robust plans are in place to keep pupils safe.

They have stressed that each school has plans to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19 - and swift action will be taken if any positive cases arise.

Councillor Colin Hayfield, portfolio holder for education and learning at Shire Hall, said: “Schools have gone to great lengths to make preparations for the safe return of children and to help them to settle back in and resume their learning. All schools, colleges and early years settings have carried out comprehensive risk assessments in line with the government’s guidance, including protective measures around hygiene, enabling social distancing wherever possible and remaining aware of the need to act safely.”

He went on: “Schools will manage pupils in groups or bubbles to minimise the risk of transmission and, should there be a positive case, to enable them to work with Public Health to arrange swift and efficient tracing of close contacts.”

Just before the end of the summer term, Wembrook Primary School in Nuneaton did not re-open until July 16 after two adults tested positive for the virus.

The Cannons School in Bedworth also had a “small number of cases of COVID-19 in members of the school community, in both pupils and staff ” at the start of June.