Staff to ensure 'safe and functional' environment as Atherstone schools warned of 'challenging' day despite coronavirus closures

Teachers in Atherstone and district are being warned to prepare for a "challenging" situation amid concerns more pupils than expected could turn up on Monday despite schools being officially closed as the UK fights to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Parents have been warned they could be in for "difficult conversations" if they take their children to school when they have an alternative means of ensuring they are looked after.

While only eligible children will be able to attend school from today, most schools and early years settings in Atherstone and surrounding are expected to open as plans are finalised by Warwickshire County Council for the number of sites needed to meet critical need going forwards.

The education authority has promised that for the reduced number of children who will be attending schools, the transport network will continue to operate at its current capacity to ensure that all the children attending will be able to do so as usual.

A county council spokesman added: "There will be staff ensuring that the schools remain safe and functional.

"Free meals will be provided to all eligible pupils whether they are in a school setting or not and information about how to access this will be available soon.

"For the reduced number of children who will be attending schools, the transport network will continue to operate at its current capacity to ensure that all the children attending will be able to do so as usual.

"There will be staff ensuring that the schools remain safe and functional.

"Free meals will be provided to all eligible pupils whether they are in a school setting or not and information about how to access this will be available soon.

"Every day, data will be collected in the morning by schools to have a very clear picture of how many children are in school and, if any child is not attending without adequate explanation from parents or carers, checks will be made to ensure they are safe.

"As the situation evolves, the number of schools open will be scaled down depending on take up and the availability of teaching and essential staff and the transport network."

The county council said it will be communicating which schools will remain open as the number of settings reduces. As time goes on it is likely that many children who are eligible to attend school under the new guidelines will be attending a different location than their usual school.

Where fit, able and not self-isolating, school staff will be expected to be working in line with national guidance. Schools have been developing their approach for distance learning and an online curriculum for children not eligible to attend school.

The county council statement added: "They will be teaching online or preparing online materials so children continue to receive the best education possible.

"Staff who are supervising children on site will not be teaching in a traditional way: they will be overseeing the remote or distance learning approaches."

The Department for Education has urged parents to keep their children at home unless their work is deemed "critical" to the country's response to Covid-19 and they have no other childcare option.

It said that, if required, schools can ask for "simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip".

The Government said children of so-called key workers - including medics, police and food distribution staff - are able to attend school so they can be looked after while their parents help in the fight against the virus.

Guidance, issued on Friday, listed the relevant occupations and said children with "at least one parent or carer" who is considered critical "can attend school if required".

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said sending a child to school is an emergency measure which should be seen "as a last resort".

He said: "It is likely that more children than expected will turn up at school and that there may be less availability of staff if more have had to self-isolate or have become ill over the weekend.

"So, the situation will be challenging today, and it will take some time to establish a more settled pattern."

He said parents need to be prepared that schools will have to prioritise and that not every child will get a place, a sentiment echoed by the National Education Union.

Dr Mary Bousted, NEU joint general secretary, said the schools can only operate to help during this outbreak "if everyone plays fair".

She said: "If schools are to limit their intake during the crisis, school leaders and teachers must exercise their professional judgment.

"There may have to be some difficult conversations with parents, which could include saying that the school cannot accommodate your child and remain safe."

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, urged parents not to mistake the spirit of battling on for behaviour that is instead reckless.

He said: "As many children as possible should stay away from school. To do otherwise will risk the health of your family and the successful response to Covid-19.

"Please do not confuse 'Dunkirk Spirit' with recklessness."