Education leaders reassure parents after spate of virus outbreaks in Black Country and Staffordshire

Education chiefs said schools had responded to outbreaks "quickly" after discussions with public health experts to ensure staff and students stay safe.

It has led to calls for parents to continue to send their children to school due to the detrimental "emotional, social and psychological" impact if they don't return – which is "far greater" than the dangers posed by the virus.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Wolverhampton Council's education chief, said the authority had been working with the city's schools to help them be "as safe as they possibly can".

He said: "It's great to see that so many children and young people have been able to return to education and that, where there have been cases of Covid-19 among members of the school population, the schools have responded quickly in partnership with public health, with bubbles self-isolating so that the rest of the school can continue to function.

"When an outbreak takes place there is close consultation with Public Health England (PHE), the local authority and the school, in order to decide the best course of action to maintain high levels of safety.

"All the evidence still shows quite clearly that children are at little risk from Covid 19, but we must continue to be cautious and vigilant.

"The cost to young people's emotional, social and psychological health and wellbeing by not returning to school is far greater than the dangers from Covid-19."

It comes as more than 10 schools in the Black Country and Staffordshire reported a positive coronavirus case leading to pupils in certain year groups asked to self-isolate.

Councillor Christopher Towe, Walsall Council's education chief, said schools had implemented a range of measures to ensure both staff and children are safe.

He said: "We believe schools are safe – all the necessary measures have been put in place at schools and we've supported them through risk assessments.

"We're very supportive and if anything happens [like an outbreak] they know what they need to do, and it's done in the proper way immediately."

Groups in different age groups have been sent home and told to study there virtually – with headteachers promoting the use of virtual lessons.

Cases have been recorded at Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School, Wednesbury, along with a case at The Royal School on Penn Road in Wolverhampton.

Meanwhile positive cases have been recorded at Grace Academy Darlaston on Herberts Park Road and at The JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire.

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Dudley Council is working closely with all education providers in the borough to keep people safe during the pandemic.

"Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual cases but parents and carers can be assured their childcare provider, school, or college will contact them should they need to take any action.

"When a case is confirmed that relates to an education setting they are reported to Public Health England, which works with the setting to ensure appropriate and proportionate measures are taken.

"We are continuing to do all we can to keep children and young people safely back in education where they belong and a part of this work is also ensuring children do not unnecessarily miss important time at childcare, school or college."

In Sandwell, "strict measures" have been put in place to keep schools clean and students safe.

Councillor Joyce Underhill, cabinet member for best start in life, said: "Our schools and academies have put in place strict measures to keep our children safe.

"Schools are responding quickly and sensibly where there are confirmed, or suspected, cases of Covid-19 and are following local and national advice appropriately.

"I would like to thank school staff, families and the pupils themselves for working so hard to get Sandwell children safely back to the classroom."

In Staffordshire, county councillor Jonathan Price, cabinet member for education, said schools had been working extremely hard to put measures in place.

He added: "Every school is different, and will have their own individual plan that they have communicated to parents. These measures are designed to keep children and school staff safe, and ensure that if there is a case of Covid-19 in the school, action will be taken to stop the spread and minimise any disruption to children’s learning.

"I know some parents might be concerned about sending their children to school, but I want to reassure them that schools have pulled out all the stops to create a safe environment for their pupils. "