Leicestershire’s schools are preparing for the return of thousands of children and young people to full-time education from Monday (March 8).
Schools across the county have been busy putting measures in place to make them as Covid-safe as possible. These include deep cleaning, carefully planning seating arrangements, updating guidance and establishing social distancing measures.
Pupils, parents and carers are also being urged to do their bit to help reduce the spread of infection when the school doors open.
We’d firstly like to say a huge thank you to our children, young people and their families, as well as all our school staff, for bearing with us and continuing to learn and teach during these unusual, and often challenging, times.
We know many of our pupils are looking forward to learning in school again and finally seeing their friends and teachers in person.
However, now schools are opening their doors fully again, it’s vitally important we all play our part to help reduce cases and stop the spread of coronavirus.
There are simple things that can be done; following the guidelines set out by your school and ensuring your children are practising good hand hygiene can all help.
We are also asking families to consider walking, cycling or scooting to school to stay healthy and help maintain social distancing.
Person:Councillor Deborah Taylor, lead member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council.
Children in secondary schools will be offered a lateral flow test before their return and will have a total of three tests in school before moving to home-testing.
School staff in both primary and secondary schools will continue to take tests twice weekly to ensure that they are infection free before coming into contact with pupils.
There are also plans to roll-out regular home testing for families of school aged children (GOV.UK)
Please do look-out for specific information from your child’s school with regards to start times, pick-up and drop-off guidance etc, and do speak to your school if you have any concerns.
See our more general information about returning to school in Leicestershire and hints, tips and resources about managing worries and anxiety, structured routines and keeping fit and healthy.
More information on sustainable ways to travel to school is available at choosehowyoumove.co.uk/schools