Good evening

It’s the question on many a parent’s lips - when can my children go back to school? 

But equally critical - how can they do so safely?

These are key questions and the answers clearly lie around testing. 

But should parents have to take responsibility for that?

It could be a step too far for many if asked to use rapid coronavirus tests involving swabbing children up their nose and down their throat.

And away from the practical issues of this, it may also be true that parents with asymptomatic but positive children may not want to disclose that as it may have implications for their paid work. 

The UK’s largest teaching union National Education Union (NEU) has warned strongly of the implications of such a testing process, saying it is ‘fraught with difficulty’ and a ‘huge ask’. There is no doubt both those things are true.

Ahead of the much-anticipated ‘roadmap’ out of Covid expected on Monday, many difficult decisions will have to be made and none will be perfect. 

Staggering of year groups is a likely approach once more. 

Until then, home schooling continues after half term and everyone deserves a medal.

Have a peaceful evening, catch up tomorrow.

Kind regards, 

Nicola Adam 

Deputy Editor

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