‘Don’t burst our bubble’
Parents and children from two schools voiced dismay that their classrooms would not be allowed to reopen as planned, with two protests staged in Horsham.
Parents and children from two Horsham primary schools have staged protests after plans to reopen to all pupils were postponed.
On Friday protesters staged a demonstration outside the West Sussex County Council offices in Horsham after the body said it would not support the reopening of Kingslea and Heron Way Primary Schools to all year groups.
The schools had planned to bring all children back on a part time basis - but the council says priority pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 must be given a full time place along with Key Worker children before other pupils are allowed back.
The campaign, called Don’t Burst Our Bubble, held a second protest at midday on Monday, June 29.
Children formed a socially distanced chain beginning outside Horsham District Council’s offices in Parkside, Chart Way.
Many wore school uniform to convey the message that they are ready for school, just like their school is ready for them, the organisers told the County Times.
In a letter to parents on June 25 the schools said it was with deep regret they were ‘forced to postpone’ the reopening after the county council said it would not support the move.
James Crump, headteacher of Heron Way, and Alexis Conway, headteacher of Kingslea, told the County Times their staff, governors and parents/carers at the schools have worked ‘tirelessly’ to make provision for their children.
Campaigners said children are ‘devastated’ after learning they won’t be able to return to school yet.
More than 70 homes in the Horsham area have now displayed school uniforms in their windows as a show of solidarity – along with banners saying ‘I’m ready for school’.
Parents behind the campaign said the schools have gone ‘above and beyond’ in putting together plans to enable all children to return to their classrooms.
They added: “We feel it is hugely important to give every child this opportunity for closure and to reconnect with school, without which the majority will go nearly half a year without setting foot in a classroom.”
Parents said children were left ‘confused and upset’ after being told they could not yet return to school.
More than 700 people have backed a petition calling on the county council to support the schools’ reopening and campaigners wrote to Horsham’s MP, Jeremy Quin, urging him to intervene.
Mr Crump and Mr Conway said they have been overwhelmed with the support from Horsham’s community.
In a joint statement they added: “This highlights the crucial partnership between parents/carers and schools in ensuring the best possible outcomes for the children.
“The social and emotional well-being of our children will always be our priority.”
Jeremy Quin MP said the schools had done a ‘tremendous job’ during lockdown.
But he added that the Department for Education has said reception, year one and year six students along with vulnerable and key worker children must be in full time education before provision can be made for other year groups.
Mr Quin said: “I appreciate [both schools] were actively trying to extend the classroom experience to more pupils.
“I have great sympathy with the schools who were acting with the best of intentions and have achieved a huge amount during lockdown and in getting eligible pupils back into school already.
“But the focus is required to be on extending and maintaining that before bringing other year groups back into school.”