Atherstone head on pupil return: If parents are at all anxious over Covid-19 issues, children can continue with home learning

YEAR 10 CHILDREN BACK AT TQEA WILL DISCOVER ONE-WAY SYSTEM AROUND PREMISES, STRICT HYGIENE REGIME AND STICKING TO TWO-METRE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE

'NO ONE HELD TO ACCOUNT' BUT BREAK TIMES TAKEN IN CLASSROOM, SNACKS HAVE TO BE BROUGHT FROM HOME, AND LITTER TAKEN BACK AT THE END OF THE DAY

PARENTS and carers have been told not to worry about sending their children back to secondary school in Atherstone this morning as everyone in education faces learning to live with Covid-19.

The Queen Elizabeth Academy principal Neil Harding stressed "anxious" guardians would "not be held to account" if they decide against allowing students to get some face-to-face time with teachers.

The Witherley Road school is implementing a raft of protective measures for Year 10 pupils heading back into the classroom – with only a quarter allowed in the building at any one time by new Government rules.

Mr Harding accepted the unprecedented times had been "challenging for many families", adding that the educational establishment's Eestates team had worked "tirelessly" with school leaders to ensure "all possible protective measures" are in place.

He added: "Our aim is to reduce as much interaction as possible through containing students and staff in 'bubbles'."

Returning pupils have been alerted to the effects of detailed measures which will see a one-way system around the academy, a strict hygiene regime in place, two-metre social distancing, break times taken in the classroom, bring-your-own-snacks, and then litter taken home.

Resources packs, which include a pen, pencil and any other equipment required, will become the exclusive property of each child.

Regular temperature checks will be taken, including on pupils entering the building.

The academy has stated it is "very unlikely" it will be opening to any other students for the remainder of the academic year, instead continuing to provide home learning resources until students are invited back.

One bonus for students will be a relaxation of the dress code – with no need to wear academy uniform but "smart casual and sensible footwear".

Primary school children from Reception, Year One and Year Six were allowed to return at the beginning of the month, although two thirds of the 'official' educational population were not in attendance in Atherstone.

Primary schools will be able to accept children from all year groups if they are able to maintain a 15-pupil cap on class sizes, ministers are reportedly preparing to announce, following a major backlash over the re-opening of classrooms.

The Government is expected to state that primary schools can allow pupils of all ages to return before the summer, if they have the necessary space and number of teachers needed to keep children in groups of less than 16.

But teaching unions have warned that a 15-pupil cap on class sizes would be "logistically impossible".

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has said many schools were being "creative" to help manage their class sizes.

When asked whether reducing the two-metre social distancing guidelines would help schools accept more pupils, Ms Spielman said schools had been told there is a hierarchy of infection control, with handwashing placed higher than social distancing.

She said: "Social distancing within the bubbles of the half-size classes is, according to the guidance, an aspiration, not an absolute requirement.

"What's really important is that everybody works to the guidance as it stands, plans for the relaxations that are likely to come along in future.

"But, yes, obviously, a reduced distance expectation will flow through into greater capacity in schools but what we need to get to is that plan for how we build capacity over time.

"Use relaxations as they come through but concentrate on the main objective which should surely be to get as many children back into school as possible and as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, secondary schools in England will struggle to host exams for students unhappy with their calculated GCSE and A-level grades while also co-ordinating a wider return to the classroom, it has emerged.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said it would be "completely unreasonable" to expect all secondary schools to run an additional exam series in the autumn term amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

It would be a "significant challenge" to accommodate exams alongside face-to-face lessons, while providing vital support to students who have been out of school for six months, heads warned.

The NAHT is calling for "local hub centres" to be set up for students who want to take exams, with the Government covering any additional costs.

Students in Year 11 and Year 13, who had their GCSE and A-level exams cancelled this summer, will be able to sit exams in October and November if they are unhappy with their calculated grades, under proposals by Ofqual.

But head teachers have suggested an additional autumn exam series in all secondary schools could detract attention from students who will need more academic and wellbeing support after being away from class.

Politicians, education leaders and charity heads have also called on the Government to ensure children eligible for free school meals have internet access at home.

More than 40 senior figures including former prime minister Tony Blair and former education and employment secretary Lord David Blunkett have called on the Government to provide access to 1.3 million disadvantaged pupils in an open letter.