Parents can be confident schools are ready to reopen

The National Association of Head Teachers has released new figures from more than 4,000 of its members which show that 97 per cent of schools plan to welcome back all pupils full-time at the start of the autumn term.

In the tiny percentage of cases where schools are not doing this, schools are planning transition periods for new pupils or phasing entry to alleviate pupils’ anxieties about the return.

NAHT’s data shows that schools are using the full extent of the safety measures that have been recommended. The survey found that: 96 per cent are organising regular additional cleaning of classrooms and school premises; 96 per cent are creating and maintaining pupil bubble groups; 93 per cent are staggering lunchtimes and breaktimes; 87 per cent are staggering start and finish times for pupils; 83 per cent are installing signs to direct pupils and parents; and 79 per cent are installing additional handwashing or hand sanitation units.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said: “Everyone wants to see pupils back in class next week, with their teachers and their classmates. These figures clearly show that school leaders and their teams have worked incredibly hard over the summer to get schools ready for the start of the Autumn term.

“We know that parents and families want their children to return, but we also know that confidence is a fragile thing. The long list of government delays, U-turns and uncertainty has not helped matters in the slightest, but school leaders and their teams have stuck to their task. They are the ones providing stability for parents right now.”

In a direct appeal to parents and carers, Whiteman urged parents to not let the ‘very public political difficulties and arguments cloud your confidence in schools’.