Preparations underway to welcome children back to school
Schools across Telford and Wrekin are working hard to welcome their children back from the 8 March.
Council teams are working closely with them to support as required.
The return to school will improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the borough.
All students will begin to return with the following testing measures in place:
- Primary school staff will continue to take two rapid COVID-19 tests each week at home.
- All secondary school and college students will take three COVID-19 tests at existing school testing facilities. During the week beginning 8 March students will have a phased return to support completion of the tests. Schools and colleges will have discretion on how to test students over that week to enable their return to the classroom. After the initial programme of three tests in school or college, students will be provided with two rapid tests to use each week at home.
- Secondary school and college staff will also be provided with two tests to use each week at home.
- Staff and students in secondary schools and colleges are to wear face coverings in all areas, including classrooms, where social distancing cannot be maintained as a temporary extra measure.
The Government has said that pupils' attendance will again be compulsory and children must attend school regularly.
Parents should wear a face covering and socially distancing when dropping off and picking up their children from school
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "I want to thank education and childcare staff and parents who have worked hard to keep young people's learning going throughout this lockdown.
"I know though that the return to school is something students and parents have been waiting for, as the educational and mental health benefits of face-to-face education are clear.
"As we have done throughout the pandemic, the council will continue to be in close contact with schools, providing advice and guidance on enhancing safety measures supporting them with any issues or outbreaks, should they occur.
"Arrangements at each school to protect against the transmission of Coronavirus may be different.
"Schools will contact parents directly with details, and queries about the arrangements should be raised with the school.
"I hope parents can be reassured knowing that the council is doing everything it can to support schools to be safe for the return."
