Derbyshire schools prepare to welcome back pupils after months away

For the majority of children, it will be their first return to the classroom since the Government ordered schools to shut their doors in March as part of national coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

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And while students and employees will need to get to grips with new routines and changes to their day, headteachers are reassuring families that all steps have been taken to make sure schools are as safe as possible.

There will be a range of extra safety measures in place in schools, including more cleaning, a greater emphasis on handwashing and reduced contact between different year groups and staff.

One of the schools busy preparing to reopen this week is Netherthorpe School in Staveley.

Its year seven and year 12 pupils will return on Friday and the whole school will be back on Monday.

Helen McVicar, head of academy, said: “The school is excited to be welcoming students back from Friday.

“We are confident that all risk assessments are in place for it to be a safe and secure environment for all.”

Referring to the lockdown period when many children were home-schooled, she said: “We have all learned new skills, adjusted our routines and essentially become used to a ‘new normal’.

“There is no doubt that this extraordinary time has been difficult for us all in different ways – but we are moving forward.”

Councillor Alex Dale, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for young people, thanked school staff for ‘all their hard work during this difficult time’.

He said: “We understand that parents and pupils might be anxious about returning to school in September and we want to reassure them that schools are doing everything they can to minimise the spread of coronavirus and they will be communicating with parents throughout.”

Coun Dale encouraged pupils to travel to school by walking, cycling or car.

“Where this is not possible, school transport will continue to be provided for pupils that are entitled to it and for those that pay to use it where available,” he added.

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