Most Newcastle primary schools will be welcoming back some children from Monday, council bosses have confirmed.
The majority of the city’s primary schools should be open to at least one year group from June 8, according to civic centre officials.
The government had allowed schools to reopen to nursery, reception, year one, and year six children from June 1.
However, that had sparked concerns from parents and teaching unions over whether it was safe to send pupils back to class while the coronavirus lockdown remains in place – and North East councils vowed that schools would not reopen until they felt comfortable that it was safe to do so.
Newcastle City Council has now confirmed to ChronicleLive that most city primary schools are expected to start gradually reopening on Monday.
It is expected that older children will be returning to school first, meaning year six pupils in most cases, rather than all of the age groups specified by the government. Secondary schools are able to open from June 15 to year 10 and 12 pupils.
Parents and carers will be contacted directly by their children’s schools to confirm specific arrangements.
Schools have been open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers since lockdown began.
The council has repeatedly stated that parents are under no obligation to send their children back to school if they do not feel comfortable doing so – and will not face fines for their children being kept at home.
Every school in Newcastle has been issued with a pack of personal protective equipment (PPE) ahead of more children returning to class.
However, the council-supplied masks and eye coverings will not be worn by teachers during lessons – even if they cannot maintain a two metre distance from others.
The PPE will be used if pupils develop coronavirus symptoms while at school and need care while they are waiting to be taken home.
