Confusion amid return for start of school term
PARENTS’ MIXED FEELINGS AS TIER 4 MESSAGING BAFFLES
CONFUSED parents had mixed feelings about their children returning to school yesterday amid growing coronavirus concerns.
A number of primary schools in certain Tier Four areas around England were told not to reopen fully yesterday but only provide access for vulnerable children and those of keyworkers.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire were not listed among them.
Nevertheless, many city and county primary schools made the decision over the weekend not to reopen as the Government faced mounting pressure from education unions on whether it was safe for schools to be open at all in the face of rising infection rates.
Parents at the gates of Haydn Primary School in Sherwood admitted their confusion over Government guidelines.
Grandfather of two Mark Richardson thought the Government message was “very unclear”.
He added: “There is so much confusion and I think it’s left many people feeling anxious – teachers too.
“Unions are advising Government that it’s unclear and that schools cannot guarantee they are safe.
“I think my grandchildren’s school has gone to the nth degree but it’s more the general picture where it’s uncertain and people want a clear message.”
Mum of two Marianne Burchell said: “My daughters were really excited to come back.
“They love it here and the school is doing the best it can and I trust them to know if it’s safe.”
Nottingham City Council leader Councillor David Mellen said the authority would support any headteacher who decided their school should be closed.
He added: “Given the Government’s decisions to allow school closures in other areas in Tier Four, there is understandable confusion about why this has not happened in Nottingham.
“We have reiterated the Government guidance as it stands and made absolutely clear that we will support any headteacher who feels it necessary to close, if their risk assessment dictates that it is not safe to open.”
A mum of three, who wished to be named as Blessing, said while dropping off her children: “I don’t think it’s right for schools to be open, because of Covid-19.
“But I called ahead this morning and was told the kids have got to come in.”
Another mum-of-two who wished to remain anonymous said: “I feel OK about the first day back, but we are getting very mixed reviews.
“Boris’s speeches are always confusing but I do think it’s important for my son’s development and for him to see his friends.
“He only comes for a few hours but it breaks up his day and he’s got used to it now – it would make things unstable to pull him out again.
“You just have to go with whatever you are told but I would be quite disappointed if the school had to close.”
Another parent, who also did not want to be named, said: “I think it’s good that schools are still open, especially in deprived areas where children may need them even more.
“For single parents who may have multiple children, it’s not going to be easy or enjoyable for them to stay at home.
“I don’t anticipate any problems after how well children have been doing all this time.”
My grandchildren’s school have gone to the nth degree but the general picture is uncertain.
Mark Richardson