Praise for schools as children head back to the classroom

Speaking ahead of schools reopening, Councillor Graeme Miller said he was full of admiration for schools and the amazing role they have continued to play in supporting the city's schoolchildren over the last year.

Cllr Miller said: "I want nothing more than to see our children and young people coming back together in their places of learning although I must say a huge well done and thank you to all of our schools and their staff who've worked tirelessly to deliver virtual lessons and keep schools open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.

"You only have to talk to any parent who has tried home schooling their own children this past year to appreciate the tremendous job our teachers and our schools do on a daily basis. They have kept going through everything this pandemic has thrown at them, to support our children both in the classroom and at home.

"I'm immensely proud of our schools and the way they have gone above and beyond in their efforts to keep our children's education on track. They deserve our enduring thanks for their dedication and hard work in these most trying of times."

Schools across Sunderland have remained open throughout the pandemic for vulnerable children and the children of key workers. While the risk to children and young people from COVID is low, there is increasing evidence of the risks of being out of school, with impacts on children's physical and mental health as well as education.

Data shows that the rate of Covid infection in schools tends to follow rates in the wider community rather than drive them and also that children who get Covid are less seriously affected than other age groups.

Schools have had a range of measures in place throughout the pandemic to help keep children safe. Twice weekly asymptomatic testing is now available for secondary school pupils and staff ahead of schools reopening, twice weekly testing for primary school teachers and the greater use of face coverings for year 7 and above. 

Councillor Louise Farthing, Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Skills, said: "Our schools have done a fantastic job throughout this pandemic and I have every confidence they have the right processes in place to keep our children safe when they reopen.

"I know many children are very eager to be back in school to meet up with their friends and teachers in person all be it socially distanced.

"There's a very good reason why schools have been the last to close and the first to open when we've gone into lockdown. While the risk to children and young people from Covid remains low, the risk from being out of school is high and increases the longer they are away from the classroom, impacting on our children's physical and mental health as well as their education. So I would encourage parents to trust in the measures in place to keep children safe when they head back to school and take up the offer of regular testing."