Hartlepool Mail readers praise schools and childcare services for providing crucial support for key workers

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said a week ago he couldn’t give a date for when English schools will reopen. But while last month’s closures have provided uncertainty, help has been close at hand.

Last week, we asked you, the Hartlepool Mail readers, to tell us about any teachers or anyone providing childcare for key workers at this time.

Hundreds of people responded, sharing the fantastic work and initiatives which are taking place in their communities.

Here are some of the replies:

Emma Trowsdale: St cuthberts school are doing fantastic not only going into work to look after children but also making phone calls to all the children. They have also set up fb pages to keep us all entertained and the childrens brains ticking over .. big shout out to Mr Williamson for keeping the children fit and encouraging exercise 😁x

Charlotte Ann Randall: Throston primary! They are amazing, always in touch,giving the children lots of activities that are fun as well as work,teachers are at hand when ever we need them and even get phone calls to see how we are all doing,brilliant school, lovely staff x

Jayne Neesam: Catcote Academy doing a fab job. My son is at school whilst myself and his dad are at work. I can’t thank the school enough for the support he is getting . Thanks also to his teachers who are off school but are sending messages to check he is ok and if we need any thing.

Samantha Allen: Jesmond Gardens Primary School all the staff who are looking after the key worker children, the messages and posts on class dojo offering help and support to all their pupils and families. The activities and websites of information they share to help keep the kids from getting bored. 👏👏 well done jesmond gardens 👏👏

Kirsty Leanne Holy: Trinity in Seaton. I’ve thanked them before and will continue to do so. The support they are providing so key workers can continue working is phenomenal. I will be eternally grateful to the teachers/TA’s/support staff at that school.

Stacey Louise Hanley: St. John Vianney school, I work there alongside all the other staff. I’ve only been there since October and I’ve loved every minute! We have accepted other children from schools that aren’t providing care at the moment also. We are doing calls to all pupils, the children that are still in the setting have even written letters to each year group and the younger children have drew pictures to send alongside the letters too! X

Leanne Taylor: The staff at lynfield still phoning to make sure our children in quarenteen are ok and asking if we're managing and if we need anything aswell as staying at school for those who need them thankyou lynfield

Julie Watkin: I'm a key worker and all the teachers at my son travis school kingsley primary have been amazing go above and beyond to make my sons stay a lot easier and fun x it helps put my mind at ease while I have to work I would be lost without them at this time they are all amazing x

Heather Anderson: Our school is providing childcare for keyworkers all our staff r in and doing a brill job to keep a bit of normality for our children at wingate primary I'm in dinnertime for dinners

Nicola Measor: Grange Primary School are open for key workers children and they are also doing an amazing job supporting parents who are homeschooling, we are so grateful to all the staff for their continued hard work and commitment during these times 💜💜 xxx

Terrie Foran: Clavering Primary School are providing amazing childcare for keyworker children. This school always goes above and beyond. Great 'Team' of teachers - Fantastic leadership. X

Jane Tetlow: Greatham primary school have remained open and also sent schoolwork out and provided direct email to class teachers if any help needed and phoned to check how the children and their families are doing. They are amazing

Joanne Armstrong: My daughter Sophie Armstrong still going into work at St. Helens looking after the keyworkers children and Vunerable and doing an amazing job 👏🌈

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.