Leader's column: Protecting our pupils

In her latest column, Tameside Council leader Cllr Brenda Warrington says "we need to keep doing all we can to support the smooth running of lessons" after the reopening of schools in the borough this month.

Over five months after they closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, schools in Tameside have once again reopened their doors.

The decision to close schools to all except those considered particularly vulnerable and the children of key workers was not one that was made lightly. 

I think I speak for many when I say that there is a certain amount of relief that we are now in a position to teach our children again.

Ofsted and education charities have warned that children from disadvantaged backgrounds risked being left behind while learning and it is a warning that we should take seriously. 

We cannot assume that all children had access to the internet, a computer or laptop of their own and a peaceful environment in which to study during lockdown. 

Research by the Education Policy Institute found that disadvantaged teenagers were 18.1 months behind their fellow pupils by the time they finished their GCSEs even before the pandemic hit, and it is likely that number would be even higher now taking into account the impact of school closures.

Across the country teachers and other school staff have done incredible work in managing the transition to make our schools as safe as they can possibly be.

This includes requiring that any ill pupil or staff member stay at home, enhanced arrangements both in terms of personal hygiene (hand washing etc) and the cleanliness of school facilities, working closely with NHS Test and Trace to monitor potential infections and, as much as possible, maximising social distancing within the classroom.

However many of the measures needed to protect children take place outside the school gates. 

The risk of a second wave of the pandemic is still with us, especially as the days get colder and the nights get longer. 

We need to keep doing all we can to support the smooth running of lessons while protecting our children, teachers and support staff.

As well as the usual precautions, including wearing face coverings in public and in shops, avoiding large crowds of people, practicing good hygiene and observing social distancing at all times, we are also asking parents to be ready and willing to book a test and self-isolate if they or their child are displaying coronavirus symptoms.

So as we welcome children returning to education at last, let’s remember that the fight against the coronavirus pandemic remains far from over.