Parents are nervously waiting to hear whether the government plans to keep schools closed after scientific advisers urged a delay to the start of the new term amid a surge in coronavirus cases. The Guardian spoke to parents of school children about how they are feeling.
‘I need convincing that schools can safely provide face-to-face teaching’
I’m the main carer for my two children, 11 and eight, while my wife works full time. I feel resigned to the fact it is almost inevitable [that schools won’t reopen]. We’ve already been told our eldest daughter’s return will be delayed by a week. The new variant of Covid is spreading at such a ferocious rate, I just can’t see how schools can viably operate until more people have been vaccinated. At the end of last term we were getting emails from the kids’ schools on pretty much a daily basis telling us about new cases. I need convincing that schools can safely provide face-to-face teaching before staff and pupils have been vaccinated. John Adams, 42, writer, Edenbridge, Kent
‘I’m terrified of another full lockdown’
I have ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and I manage my condition by routine and pacing. Home schooling my eight-year-old son, Harrison, is not conducive to this so I have mixed feelings about the prospect of schools not re-opening. As a health professional, I totally understand the reasoning that schools may need to close, but as a working mum and chronic illness sufferer, the thought terrifies me. Not only does the change in routine and childcare potentially flare up my symptoms and hours I am available to work, but it also has a massive impact on my son’s mental health. Being an only child, no face-to-face contact with other children is awfully tough. Rebecca Sessions, 38, physiotherapist, Stotfold, Bedfordshire
‘Families should be able to make the decisions’
I have a 12-year-old daughter and a one-year-old daughter. I’m feeling quite anxious about potentially homeschooling again because I really struggled to teach my daughter with a baby at home. I think it should be up to families to make a decision on what’s right for them. We don’t have anyone in our family who is very high risk and we keep ourselves to ourselves and aren’t mixing with elderly family members. I would rather my child go to school and sacrifice seeing the rest of our family for the sake of her mental health and learning. Amber Leach, 38, wedding photographer, Plymouth
‘Home schooling went well last time but will be harder now’
We have two children Maya, 11, and Ayden, 10. We already know that Maya won’t be returning until 11 January, which is a week longer than expected. I was a primary school teacher for 17 years but haven’t taught since the first lockdown. Home schooling in March went well; we got into a good routine and both of my children were able to complete tasks independently. This time around it will be harder as not only will we have to create a new structure and routine, but I have lots of projects planned that I need to dedicate time to. It will be hard to balance everything.”
Anupa Roper, 42, founder of Sparrowlegs which helps young people to have a positive body image, Leicestershire
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