Shirebrook school principal gives cautious welcome to the government's back to school plans

Mark Cottingham, principal of Shirebrook Academy, said that while he welcomed the plan’s flexible approach, which takes into account each school’s individual circumstances, he is worried about the uncertainty surrounding how much schools will be expected to do in order to keep students and staff safe.

Small groups of students are currently going to school for two days every fortnight and have to work at their own desks, in the same classroom and with the same teachers all day, while observing a distance between themselves and others at all times.

Schools across the country have said it would be impossible for all students to make a mandatory return in September if the same rules had to be observed because they would not have the staff numbers or enough classrooms to cope.

In response, the Department for Education announced yesterday that although schools should encourage students to maintain social distancing and should aim to keep them in year group “bubbles”, these are not “all or nothing” options and that even partial measures will bring benefits.

Mr Cottingham said: “Now that the plans have been announced, I have a mixture of relief and concern, and there is certainly a lot to think about.

“We’re looking forward to getting everyone back into school, but I worry about how we’re being told to do what we can ‘if possible’ and that the previous guidelines will no longer apply.

“From a practical point of view, it’s a positive step forward, but it’s also vague, and I am concerned about our ability to keep staff and students safe and reassure them that it is safe to return.”