Melton schools prepare for return of all pupils next month

The government has in the last week announced that current restrictions on group sizes will be lifted to allow schools, colleges and nurseries to fully reopen to all children and young people, as Covid-19 infection rates continue to fall.

Safety measures will remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission, with schools being asked to keep children in class or year group sized ‘bubbles’ and encourage older children to keep their distance from each other and staff where possible. This is alongside protective measures such as regular cleaning and handwashing.

There has been a phased return to school for some pupils as lockdown restrictions have eased in recent weeks but all will be expected to return for the autumn term and the start of the new school year.

Mowbray Education Trust (MET), which manages John Ferneley College, Brownlow, Sherard and The Grove Primary Schools in Melton plus Ab Kettleby Primary and Somerby Primary Schools, said its plans to reopen were dependant on no future spike in infections.

CEO Christine Stansfield has written to parents to say: “I am aware that a lot of schools locally and nationally are building in time for a staggered start and building in additional preparation days.

“However, I can tell you that we are making plans to welcome back all of our students on Wednesday August 26 as originally planned.

“However, if there is a rise in infections locally, matters may be taken out of our hands.”

Some parents have continued to keep their children at home in recent weeks because of concerns over them contracting the virus.

But Mrs Stansfield urged them in her letter to ‘trust us with your children’.

She said staff were preparing all school sites in the MET group to be Covid-safe in anticipation of the return of all children next month.