Mansfield MP says schools will decide when it's safe for them to re-open

We all obviously are very protective of our kids, so it’s understandable that parents want to be sure that things are absolutely safe.

For context, as both myself and my wife are key workers, my own children, aged three and six, have been at school throughout this crisis, so I’m not talking without some experience here.

My boys have been happy and healthy at school, and it’s important to recognise that there have been no major outbreaks of coronavirus in schools or nurseries.

All of the science tells us that primary-aged kids are far less susceptible to the virus, but we also know that they are at a hugely important stage of their lives in terms of their development.

These kids, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who may not be getting the support at home, are the ones for whom being out of school is most detrimental.

That’s why we’re keen to get them back there, but only if and when it is safe.

This week many parents will have received an email from the County Council, which states that it is the schools themselves, not the Government, who are tasked with putting in place the best measures to ensure we can have a safe environment for the children.

It is the schools who will decide what is possible, and when is the time to come back.

It’s not being dictated from a distance.

Some schools feel they maybe they don’t have enough room or enough staff, and those schools will not open and rightly so.

For those that do, opening up will mean that all the parties concerned, including the staff at the school, are happy with the measures that are in place and happy that it’s a safe environment for our children.

I want to reassure parents that these plans come from the best possible science.

I hope that you can have growing confidence in the measures and support that will be in place for our children.

Ben Bradley is MP for Mansfield.