HEADTEACHERS have urged key worker parents to use schools as a last resort.

This comes after schools were closed across the county to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The government announced that parents should keep their child at home unless ‘absolutely necessary.’

Andrew Richards, headteacher of Grimley and Holt C of E Primary School, said: “We are open for very few, but very critical, key workers' children. We aim to do so for the next week or so but may have to join with other small schools to provide care in the longer term.

“I’m really pleased that the message has got across that children should be at home, wherever possible, and it offers us the best chance of preventing death, serious illness and returning to some kind of normality as soon as possible. We have had some problems with defining what constitutes a vital key worker, without sounding really officious. We have already had problems already with parents suggesting they needed provision, then - for whatever reason - not bringing children into school without informing us. This has meant that I’ve had to ask staff to come in, and subsequently send them home again. Obviously, this puts the member of staff at risk and negates any planned isolation or distancing.”

John Pitt, headteacher of RGS Worcester, said: "It is so important that we can support the NHS as well as food supplies and other critical services. We do all emphasise that this service should only be used when children cannot be kept safe at home or for vulnerable children. This is all about reducing risk for everyone and so, if schools are to provide this support effectively and keep children in schools safe, we ask people to consider carefully before informing their school that they need this service.

READ MORE:

8 vehicles broken into on Worcester Trading Estate

Dead rats found at Worcester's YMCA

Richard Chapman, Head at King’s St Alban’s said, “The school community has been amazing this last week. Teachers and staff have worked around the clock, getting information ready for home working, preparing children for distant learning and also setting up this provision for critical key workers. Today though, like many other schools, we are pleased to be staying open to look after these children. It is so important that we do this and allow NHS workers, delivery drivers and other key workers to do their jobs, fight this dreadful virus and keeping our country going. These are challenging and stressful times for everyone.

We had to move quickly to plan for this week and at present all three schools are offering ongoing education support for key workers and vulnerable children. Across our senior school, King’s Worcester, and two junior school, King’s Hawford and King’s St Albans we are offering a provision for 67 children this week.

At King's St Alban's we will have between 13 and 19 children in daily. We are putting on a varied timetable with a skeleton staff. Most teachers are working from home and setting and assessing their forms learning remotely. Leaders have a duty to look after their staff and, if a colleague can work from home, they should.”

Richard Chapman, head at King’s St Alban’s said: "The school community has been amazing this last week. Teachers and staff have worked around the clock, getting information ready for home working, preparing children for distant learning and also setting up this provision for critical key workers.

"Today though, like many other schools, we are pleased to be staying open to look after these children. It is so important that we do this and allow NHS workers, delivery drivers and other key workers to do their jobs, fight this dreadful virus and keeping our country going. These are challenging and stressful times for everyone.

"We had to move quickly to plan for this week and at present all three schools are offering ongoing education support for key workers and vulnerable children. Across our senior school, King’s Worcester, and two junior school, King’s Hawford and King’s St Albans we are offering a provision for 67 children this week.

"At King's St Alban's we will have between 13 and 19 children in daily. We are putting on a varied timetable with a skeleton staff. Most teachers are working from home and setting and assessing their forms learning remotely. Leaders have a duty to look after their staff and, if a colleague can work from home, they should.”

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Teachers, school leaders and support staff are on the front line, looking after the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

“But they can only do this vital work if everyone plays fair. The vast majority of children should stay at home. This is the safest place for them.

“Schools opening during the crisis should have no more than 10 per cent of their normal intake. We think this is the right percentage, because it will enable schools to implement social distancing strategies for children old enough to understand why this is important.”

Latest government guidance on Coronavirus

Coronavirus symptoms to watch out for

- A high temperature

- A new, continuous cough

If you have these symptoms (no matter how mild)

- Stay at home for 7 days (self-isolation)

- Everyone else in your household should not leave the house for 14 days

- Stay away from any ‘at risk’ people

Extremely vulnerable people

- Check if you are on the list of ‘extremely’ vulnerable people. It includes those with cancer or who have had transplants and other conditions

- If you are, you should not leave home for the next 12 weeks (shielding). Food packages will be provided for you

Everyone

- Stay at home as much as possible

- Avoid gatherings with family and friends

- Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds

- If you have to leave your home, stay 2 metres away from others at all times (social distancing)

Check www.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information and updates