Children head back to school in Suffolk after summer holidays
The new academic year begins today with students having to follow fewer restrictions.
Last updated 2nd Sep 2021
Students in Suffolk head into the new academic year today, as schools seek to return a sense of normalcy to the proceedings.
A number of precautions in place to stop the spread of Covid-19 are no longer mandatory in schools. This includes the compulsory wearing of masks, social distancing and guidelines on mixing and bubbles. Despite the loosening of restrictions, parents are confident that schools will do their best to keep students safe.
Sarah Foulger is parent from Suffolk, her 8-year old son George goes to St. Botolph's Primary School in Diss.
When asked if she was nervous to send her son back to school she replied: "No, absolutely not. I just welcome them being able to get back to some normality."
This will be the second time this year that pupils go back to school, after they returned to face-to-face classes in March following a period of extended lockdown.
Mrs. Foulger told us: "During that time (lockdown), it was very difficult. I had to work 30 hours a week but my son is 8 years old so he needs a lot of one-to-one attention, which was particularly stressful."
She had to be furloughed part-time by her employer in order to focus attention in her son.
Despite the easing of restrictions, she says the school is well-prepared to manage an outbreak should it occur.
"It's a relief now that if there is a case, the whole class will not be sent home, which is welcomed by most parents", she adds.
Most schools have also stayed in regular contact with parents and provided them with timely updates of Covid-19 cases, of any. Mrs. Foulger believes as long as that continues, together with mindful management of any situation that arises, she will be satisfied with sending her son to school.
Over the last few months, much debate has been around helping students catch-up on any lost learning. Mrs. Foulger says that parents have worked hard to ensure that students have caught up with all coursework they were given last year.
She now hopes that they put in additional resources to help students with one-to-one sessions , getting new teachers familiarised with students and any extra support that can be provided with teaching assistants for each class.