'Successful' return to school for students across the Black Country
High numbers of students from across the Black Country have returned to the classroom in a "successful" step toward normality.
Council chiefs from Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell have hailed the move and praised school staff, pupils and parents.
But they have stressed the importance of students being tested for Covid-19, with only a few returning pupils testing positive for the virus.
In Wolverhampton, more than 95 per cent of primary school pupils returned to the classroom according to council figures from Thursday.
And a total of 89 per cent of secondary school pupils have also returned to the classroom after schools opened full time from March 8.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for education and skills, said: "It's great that so many children and young people are now back in the classroom, many for the first time this year.
"The high attendance rate in Wolverhampton is particularly pleasing – over 95 per cent of pupils are now back at our primary schools, higher than the national average of 94 per cent, while 89 per cent of secondary students have returned, in line with the national average.
"Thanks to the efforts of school staff, parents and pupils, and the support of our education and public health teams, the return of children and the introduction of regular rapid testing for secondary pupils has gone as well as we could have hoped.
"We now need to do all we can to make sure our schools remain Covid-secure so that we don't see a spike in infections in the weeks and months ahead. That's why it is important that staff, secondary school students and families and householders of primary and secondary pupils and staff are tested regularly for Covid-19, and that everyone continues to practice Hands, Face, Space in the classroom and on the school run."
Followed
In Dudley, a total of 86 per cent of pupils overall have returned to school since March 8 and up to Friday, with 10 rapid coronavirus tests being returned as positive up to the same date.
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Our schools and colleges have worked extremely hard and all pupils across the borough have been returning from March 8. Lateral flow testing has been in place in our secondary schools and colleges and this is now being followed by home testing.
"Within schools themselves, we continue to work in bubbles and operate in accordance with the government’s guidance. I want to thank all of the staff in our schools and colleges, whose commitment and support has enabled us to keep the education and development of our children and young people at the top of the agenda."
In Sandwell, council figures show more than 95 per cent of pupils were back in the classroom up to March 17 – with the figure expected to be around the same for secondary school pupils, as the phased return of students is completed.
Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's deputy leader, said: "The return to school has been very successful across the borough.
Welcomed
"All primary schools [have] welcomed the children back and current attendance is above 95 per cent. This is in line with pre-Covid-19 attendance levels across the borough.
"All secondary schools successfully began their phased return of pupils and also began to administer Covid-19 testing programmes. Any children testing positive are staying at home to self-isolate.
"There have only been a small number of positive cases reported to us so far. We will continue to monitor this. Where cases occur, close contacts of children and their families have been told to self-isolate."
In Walsall, a total of 91 per cent of all pupils have returned to the classroom as of March 16 – with the numbers changing on a daily basis, chiefs have said.
A spokesman for the council said: "There are 122 schools in the Walsall borough including local authority maintained schools and academies. These educational settings will have had positive cases of coronavirus and this situation continues to change on a daily basis.
"In terms of attendance we can confirm that of those schools which have provided data so far, 91 per cent of all pupils, 83 per cent of nursery pupils, 93 per cent of primary pupils and 89 per cent of secondary pupils have been in attendance for face-to-face teaching.
"The percentages are rounded and current as of March 16 and subject to change on a daily basis. We would like to thank schools, staff, pupils and parents for their support in the return back to schools."
