Parents ‘won’t be pressured’ over returning kids to school

PARENTS in Newcastle won’t be pressured to send their children back to school, a council has pledged.

Newcastle City Council said that it’s “clear that not everything will be in place” in the city’s schools by the Government’s June 1 target.

Veronica Dunn, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, said that parents won’t be fined if they don’t send their children back.

She said: “We share the concerns of parents, teachers and governors of setting an arbitrary date for the return of pupils to schools of June 1.

“Our approach is absolutely driven by how it can be done safely, not when.

“We have been working throughout the pandemic with all headteachers across the city.

“They have put measures in place to ensure the children of key workers can continue to attend so their parents can work on the front line.

“Only when those running our schools are confident more pupils and staff can safely return to the classroom should it happen.

“We are still awaiting details of the test, track and trace scheme and until this is in place – and proven to be effective – questions remain about how schools can reopen with confidence.”

This comes after North East leaders said schools will reopen only when it is safe to do so – rather than following the Government’s June 1 target.

Coun Dunn said many parents don’t want their children back at school yet and the council shares their concerns.

She continued: “Many of our schools have polled parents/carers and are not surprisingly reporting the vast majority still feel uncomfortable about the prospect of sending their children back to school.

“Each school has a different layout, each with its own challenges and so one-size-fits-all is not the right approach. Clearly, younger children do not understand the concept of social distancing so this is another factor which is being taken into account.

“The DfE have confirmed this is the case.”

Newcastle is home to 102 schools, including four nursery schools, 72 primary schools, three middle schools, 11 secondary schools and 12 other schools.

These 102 schools support over 40,000 pupils – 22,201 of which are in primary schools.

Coun Dunn said every school in the city is carrying out “thorough” risk assessments before they allow pupils to return.

“Every single one of them, with our support, is carrying out a thorough risk assessment and is in the process of putting measures in place to enable pupils to return – while at the same time supporting the children of key workers, with many also providing resources for others to study at home,” she added.

“While seeking to follow Government guidance, we believe the final decisions should rest locally.”