Parents urged to keep children from mixing outside school as Hartlepool education chiefs prepare for schools to reopen

Hartlepool Borough Council has issued a message on behalf of its chiefs and school leaders ahead of the relaunch of classroom teaching from Monday, March 8, saying they will be “delighted” to welcome back children.

The move is part of the Government’s roadmap to begin easing the third lockdown, which began in the first week of January.

The message pleads with families to not allow children to mix outside of school and details the testing programme for secondary school children at home, with parents asked to follow the guidance to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

It says: "The Prime Minister outlined that he wants the current lockdown to be the last.

"Therefore, in Hartlepool, it is so important that everyone continues to play their part in bringing the Covid rates down, as they have done over the last eight weeks, so that our children and young people do not have any further disruption to their learning and positive experiences in school.

"As your children return to school, remember the importance of social distancing, particularly at the start and end of the school day and please do not congregate around school gates.

"Although we want our children to see their friends and enjoy activities out of school, this is not yet permitted, so please follow the restrictions that continue to be in place for the next few months.”

Secondary students will be asked to take two tests a week, the first three to be carried out in school – any positive tests will mean they and close contacts will need to isolate for 10 days.

The message adds: "Please support your child to take the tests and wait for the results.

"Where a child tests positive for Covid-19 it is essential that they go home straight away if they are in school or do not attend school if the test was taken at home.

"If we all work together to keep the virus rates coming down in Hartlepool, this will make sure that our children and young people can enjoy the rest of the school year with as little disruption as possible."

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