Schools facing 'difficult' circumstances as pupils told to isolate amid rise in coronavirus cases
Teachers and students are facing "really difficult" circumstances as schools have reopened amid a rise in coronavirus cases, it has been said.
It comes as eduction chiefs looked to reassure parents that schools are a safe place to send their children.
The ongoing pandemic is causing widespread disruption with hundreds of pupils being sent home from schools in the Black Country this week.
The threat of Covid-19 means if a teacher or student has symptoms, or tests positive, people in their bubbles have to self-isolate for two weeks.
One Black Country headteacher said the start of a new school year is the worst time to deal with coronavirus as schools deal with new lessons, teachers and unprecedented safety measures.
"It couldn't have happened at a worse time when there is new teachers and new classes," said Mrs Helen Vernon, headteacher at Woden Primary School in Wolverhampton. Thirty pupils in Year 6 at the school have been told to self-isolate by Public Health England after a fellow pupil tested positive on Tuesday.
"It is really difficult to manage. All I can say is we are following Public Health and Government guidelines.
"The situation is unprecedented. Obviously everybody is establishing routines and there is a newness to things like that."
Asked how students are learning from home, she added: "We have got isolated learning set up. Pupils learning from home will be able to access information through the website."
Vigilant
A fellow Wolverhampton headteacher said it was "incredibly disappointing" that some of his pupils have been forced to isolate due to coronavirus.
Students in Year 11 at Highfields School, in Merry Hill, have been forced to self-isolate after student tested positive on Tuesday.
Mr Graham Tate said: "This is incredibly disappointing considering how long students have been out of school and how pleased they have been to get back to school. But safety must always be our top priority."
At Moat Farm Junior School, in Oldbury, headteacher Lara Stone has asked her students to "remain vigilant" after 30 pupils were sent home on Thursday.
"We are continuing to encourage all students and staff to remain vigilant and continue to uphold all the various safety protocols not just when they are at school but importantly when they are out in the local community," she said.
"We will be keeping pupils, parents and carers updated with any developments and are encouraging anyone with concerns to contact the school directly so that we can provide the necessary support.”
