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Most children looking forward to going back to school, say York parents – but there are some concerns

Pupils at Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, wearing masks. Photograph: Owen Humphreys / PA Wire
@ Education

Children head back to school today (Monday) – and most are actively looking forward to it.

So say York parents, who responded to our call for their family’s feelings as schools reopen to all for the first time since before Christmas.

“I personally can’t wait for the kids to be back at school and they can’t wait to get back,” said one mum.

“Both their schools I feel have been amazing dealing with the whole situation.

“And if people say it’s too soon, then tell that to the public who I see shopping that don’t adhere to keep there distance and the families that have a day out the shop!”

This feeling was echoed by a mother whose child has only just started school. “My son is really looking forward to going back and seeing his friends.

“It’s been such an awful year for all of the children but especially the ones that only started their school journey in September, and have missed out on so much already.”

Lateral flow test concerns

Taking a coronavirus test at a walk-through testing centre in Edinburgh. Photograph: Andrew Milligan / PA Wire

Other, particularly older children, were struggling with the decision.

“My two teens aren’t too happy,” another York mum told us. “They would much prefer to be home learning.

“One child is Year 11 and is dreading the pressure of all the upcoming ‘assessments’. They are looking forward to seeing friends though.”

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That was the experience of a parent of a sixth former too. “My daughter is feeling unmotivated and so are her friends who are going back into Year 13.”

She added: “She’s happy to be going back to see her friends though. Can’t fault the school though for keeping us informed and staff going out of their way to make sure the kids are ok and safe.”

And a mother of a Fulford School pupil was disappointed by the fact that her child had to self isolate.

She said her daughter took a lateral flow test for Covid-19 – which was positive. She followed this with the much-more accurate PCR test, which proved negative.

“But Fulford School won’t accept that result so my daughter won’t be returning tomorrow. Ridiculous,” she said, adding: “It’s really affecting my daughter’s mental health too.”

You can find all the information about returning to school on the City of York Council website here.