Dorset parents asked to consider if they really need to send their child to school in lockdown
There's concern large numbers of children are still attending
There are calls for parents in Dorset who are still sending their children into school to think about whether they really need to.
Greatest Hits Radio has learnt that some schools are still seeing large numbers of students attending.
Some schools in Dorset are asking parents to consider whether they have any other other childcare options available to them.
One of the reasons why more children in in school this time around is that the Government has expanded on the categories of who is classed as a key worker.
Dorset Councillor Andrew Parry explains:
“There is a broader definition of key worker roles, and those key workers who are going into a workplace setting. Therefore we are seeing an uplift on the numbers of children who are going back into a school setting.
“Now we have to temper that also with the fact that we have an absolute commitment to children who are in receipt of and Educational Health Care plan to return to a school setting, as of course we do for our most vulnerable children as well.
“I think the guidelines right from the top of government down is that we all have a sense of having to question, can we do more to help?”
He says there will be some cases where those who are eligible for sending their children to school will be able to make other arrangements and might be able to help relieve pressure on schools.
Cases
At least 9 schools have recorded a case of coronavirus in the two weeks since the start of the new term, after the Christmas Break.
The following schools have confirmed Coronavirus a case or cases and are following the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of their pupils:
St Mary & St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School – 14 January (Single case)
Holy Trinity Primary School – 14 January (single case)
Archbishop Wake C of E Primary School in Blandford Forum – 14 January
Lytchett Minster School – 13 January (Single case)
Bere Regis Primary School – 11 January (Single case)
Pimperne Primary School in Pimperne – 11 January (Single case)
Mountjoy School in Beaminster – 7 January (Single case)
Shaftesbury School please – 6 January (Single case)
Radipole Primary School in Weymouth – 4 January (Single case)
Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils said:
“We are aware that a number of schools in Dorset have received confirmed cases of COVID-19. These schools are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.
“All close contacts of the confirmed cases have been notified and need to self-isolate for 10 days. Contacts of the confirmed cases should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 10 days.”