'I would rather pay a fine then have them ill': Parents take children out of school which has had Covid case

Jon Hill, 54, of Brockmoor, took both of his children out of The Wordsley School, in Dudley, out of fears they could catch Covid-19.

Dudley Council confirmed a positive Covid-19 case at the school on Monday but it has remained open to pupils.

It is one of around 20 schools in the Black Country to have been affected by coronavirus cases since schools fully reopened last week.

Mr Hill claims his partner Terri Hill, 39, and around 30 parents collected their children from the council-run school on Monday.

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He has criticised safety measures at the school saying students are not being kept to safety bubbles and five or six different year groups walk to school together.

He told the Express & Star: "I have taken our girls out of school. It is a total shambles. They are not going back until it is safe.

"The school has said it will go against their attendance which is more or less saying unless if you take them into school you will get a fine.

"It is ridiculous. So many parents have taken their children out of Wordsley.

"My partner went to fetch the girls and said there was '30 to 40 waiting to take them out'.

"I would be prepared to pay a fine. I would rather pay a fine then have them ill."

Confident

In response to the story, councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The wellbeing of students, staff and the local community is a priority and we are confident the Wordsley School has taken all appropriate steps, in keeping with Public Health and government guidance, to keep pupils and staff safe.

"Our expectation remains that all children and young people should attend school."

In response to the outbreak on Monday, Councillor Buttery said: "Dudley Council is working closely with all borough schools and education providers.

"As schools reopen for the autumn, we know that there might be Covid-19 cases but we will continue to do all we can to keep children and young people safely back in school where they belong.

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