Parents in Norfolk urged to make sure their children go to school from the 8th March
Teachers are working hard to make sure it's safe
Parents in Norfolk who might be tempted to keep their children off school when they re-open next month are being warned against doing so.
Chris Snudden, head of learning and inclusion at Norfolk County Council says schools are planning to make the most of the few weeks between the 8th of March and the Easter half-term.
She says they really want to see all children back in the classroom.
Norfolk's 422 schools are well practised in their range of extra hygiene and safety measures to support pupils' safe return to the classroom, including one-way systems, staggered start times, regular testing for school staff, and extra cleaning to help protect children and teachers.
And these measures have been boosted by new testing regimes for students in secondary schools and further education colleges and the ongoing national vaccination programme, which is immunising thousands of people each week - 35 per cent of people in Norfolk aged 16 and over have now received their first dose of a vaccine, equating to around 48,000 people.
Director of Learning and Inclusion at Norfolk County Council, Chris Snudden said:
"I would like to encourage parents to support their children's return to school.
"Parents and schools have made absolutely great efforts in the last two months to support online learning and I think it's important to take a moment to reflect on this and commend what has in so many cases been an excellent partnership.
"But it is now vitally important to return to face-to-face learning and give children and young people back some kind of normality and the opportunity to learn and play with their friends.
"I know teachers are really excited to be welcoming children back and with the legal stay at home instruction still in place until at least 29 March, I'm sure many children will be really looking forward to the opportunity of getting out of the house each day which going back to school will provide.
"The return to school is a great opportunity to spend the three weeks before the Easter holidays getting back into the swing of school ready for a flying start to the summer term.
"We know the risk of the virus to children is low and schools have taken lots of measures to help protect their children and staff. I would really urge parents to make sure their children get back to school in March so they can benefit from the professional teaching and support their schools offer."
Sarah Shirras, Co-chair of Educate Norfolk and headteacher of St William's Primary School, said:
"Families have worked incredibly hard to manage the competing pressures of remote learning, working from home and family life and not being able to see families and friends.
"Now all children can return, we will do everything to support them to thrive in school, as children and as learners.
"Re-engaging with each other and with staff and enjoying being together will be crucial in their return to learning in school. We know there will be some anxiety around this return, but it is an exciting step towards the freedoms we are all so looking forward to."
All pupils in all years can return to schools and colleges from Monday, March 8.
Parents and carers should look out for messages from their own schools as to the specific arrangements for the return. Management teams from secondary schools and colleges will be sending out instructions around the wearing of face coverings and twice-weekly testing, initially on-site and then at home.
Schools have been provided with ongoing Public Health advice from the council, as well as materials to promote social distancing and handwashing and provide guidance for parents on Covid symptoms and when to keep your child at home and get tested.
Ms Snudden said:
"Quite rightly schools and academies will be making their preparations to make their premises and operating practices as safe as possible and we're keen that parents support those efforts by playing their part.
"Please do wear face coverings at school pick-up and drop-off, avoid car-sharing wherever possible, and adhere to the current guidelines around not mixing with other households either indoors or outside."