Thousands of children across Worcestershire will be returning to school this week, many for the first time in six months.
Four in ten regional schools welcomed back pupils for the autumn term today, with some 97 per cent of schools reopening throughout the week.
Reactions at the staggered school gates have been varied with one local resident telling our reporter: “We believe its fantastic that the girls are going back this week and they cannot wait to see their friends again. Socialising with other kids is as important as education.”
He added: “We have loved our extended time together, however, its time to get on with life. This virus has done enough damage already in society.”
Caroline Shaihk, mother to 14-year-old Amelie said: “I thought I’d be relaxed about this but I feel such anxiety about how things will have changed and how my daughter will cope.
She added: “Goodness knows what the pressure will be like for the kids with all the new rules.”
Redditch resident Joanne Walker-Beacham said: I’m going to miss my daughter. We’ve spent every day together and it’s been a time we will never have again.
“We did all the homework set, lots of learning about life such as using the kitchen, life skills, baking, sewing and creating. I will genuinely miss her.”
It was confirmed earlier this week, parents who keep their children home will face fines for doing so. However, the Department for Education said fines for parents who refuse to send their children back will only be used as a “last resort.”
Children are also facing a string of new rules as they return to their classrooms such being kept in class bubbles, having staggered lunch times and secondary pupils wearing face coverings in communal areas.
Many schools have also introduced new ‘zones’ to keep children apart with separate classrooms, lunch areas and toilets to stop any spread of the virus.
According to a survey this week, the majority of pupils will be three months behind in their studies when they return to classrooms.
A poll of nearly 3,000 school leaders and teachers found that 98% felt students were not as far along with their learning as would normally be expected at the end of the 2019/20 school year.
Almost a quarter (21%) of teachers from across more than 2,200 mainstream primary and secondary schools also believed boys had fallen further behind than girls.
Photo credit: Press Association
