Coronavirus: Peterborough education chief thanks parents as pupils stay at home

Schools closed their doors to most pupils on Friday night, leaving parents across the city to home school their children.

Only youngsters from critical worker families, and those who are supported by social care and who have safeguarding and welfare needs are able to attend schools.

Across the county, 2394 pupils - about two per cent of the number of children - attended a school yesterday. A total of 84 per cent of schools were open.

There are 2707 staff were available to work and 163 staff were working additional hours today to support the delivery of the support.

Jonathan Lewis, Service Director for Education in Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Council said: “I want to say thank you to those parents who are following the advice of Government and keeping their children at home. You are playing a big part in helping relieve the pressures on the system, and allowing us to prioritise our resources where they are needed most. We are seeing children from critical worker families attending, but I want to reiterate that we will also provide for children who are supported by social care and who have safeguarding and welfare needs.

“We continue to work closely with the Department of Health, our teachers, practitioners and childminders, and have put measures in place to ensure the safety of those children and staff who are in attendance. We are in this together.”

With children now being asked to stay at home where safe to do so, more and more parents will be turning to childminders and alternative childcare to help out.

A spokesman for Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council said: “The Government guidance is clear – children should not be cared for by any friends or family who should be stringently social distancing – such as the elderly or those with underlying health problems.

“Parents should also be fully confident they are using childminders who are fully registered.”

Registered childminders can be found on both councils’ websites.

They added: “If you are offered any unregistered provision, or you feel someone may be acting illegally, let Ofsted know immediately by contacting [email protected] using the subject heading ‘Early Years setting – possibly unregistered’. Help us keep our children safe and well.”

All play areas, outdoor gyms and skate parks in Peterborough will be closed to stop people using equipment on which they could potentially pass on the virus with a message put up clearly at the entrances asking residents to continue using the rest of the open space, while adhering to safe social distancing of at least two metres/six feet apart from others.