Mum’s worry for return to school
A MUM has spoken of the dilemma faced by parents when it comes to sending their children back to school amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson addressed the nation to unveil his ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, with details regarding a return to school and work.
He announced that schools could reopen from as early as June 1, with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils, returning to classrooms first as part of a phased return.
But mum-of-three Louise Sharp is concerned that sending her daughter Jessica, who is in Year 6, back to Benton Dene Special School could have a lasting impact on her wellbeing.
The 42-year-old, from Whitley Bay, said: “I feel like for the last seven weeks we have been fed fear, but then suddenly there’s talk that we have to send our kids back to school. I’m scared to make a decision because I don’t know what will be best for Jessica in the long run.” The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is said to be focusing on the return of Year 6 pupils in order to ease the transition from primary school into secondary school in September. However, Louise feels that changes to the school routine could be overwhelming for her autistic daughter who also suffers with anxiety.
Like many parents across England, Louise has been left wondering whether a return to school will be compulsory or optional and how social distancing and PPE will work in the classroom.
Last night the Government said that a “detailed guidance” on how a return to school will be implemented will follow “shortly”.
Louise added: “Jessica won’t understand social distancing and if staff are wearing PPE that could scare the children. If Jessica returns to school in June, it could impact her psychologically. But then if I wait until September, I can’t just send her straight into her next school, so I’m not sure what to do.”
Now, Louise launched a poll on her Facebook page, North Tyneside Covid-19 Mutual Aid, to gauge how other parents feel.
Out of 198 respondents, 154 parents said they would send their children back to school when they feel it is safe for them to return.
While only 31 people said they would send their children to school on the day they reopened.
The remaining respondents said they would either allow their children to return to school in September, or await confirmation from their school once staff had deemed it safe to return.