Sunderland families share their back-to-school views as children returns to classrooms

Many schoolchildren in England will return to the classroom for the first time in the coming days after spending months at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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As families prepare for the next step, we asked you how you were feeling about your children going back to class.

Certain year groups returned to school before the summer break, some children attended throughout lockdown and others remained at home for the duration.

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This is how you reacted on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing the school tie he was presented with on arrival, speaks to a class of Year 7 pupils on their first day back at school during a visit in the East Midlands. Picture: Getty Images.Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing the school tie he was presented with on arrival, speaks to a class of Year 7 pupils on their first day back at school during a visit in the East Midlands. Picture: Getty Images.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing the school tie he was presented with on arrival, speaks to a class of Year 7 pupils on their first day back at school during a visit in the East Midlands. Picture: Getty Images.

Carla Jane Conley Cuthbertson: “Kids more safe at school as people going to work, at least safety measures in place.”

Tanya Alderson: “Extremely nervous but I’m not a teacher and keeping them at home would do more damage and I don’t want to be the reason why my children don’t do well in life.”

Deb Pulling: “If I had my own way my daughter wouldn't be going back to school until it was safe, I think putting 30 pupils in a bubble is way too many.”

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Shirley Teasdale: “Very anxious about the little ones starting hope they can manage the situation.”

Leanne Furness: “They need their education and routine for sure but I am still very anxious about it.”

Liz Mills: “Massive worry because I already have a son with a very low immune system.”

Jessica Boyce: “I think it's to soon schools going back there might another spike of the virus in winter.”

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Nicol Marshall: “Can't see how its gonna be safe. Feel for all school staff who have to try make this work.”

Joanne Davison: “Should have gone back before now.”

Andy John Gray: “Had way too much time off school.”

Gemma Errington: “I feel like I’m completely going against my instincts as a parent but my children are really struggling at home now. My five-year-old has barely had any interaction with another child since March and my eldest has ASD and really needs her routine back.

“There is a massive gap between the people who just want to act like everything is normal and those that are planning to deregister and home school. I’m scared but feel like I have no choice. I’m sure the vast majority of parents are the same."

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