"Parent confidence is not there": Leeds headteacher as he prepares for phased reopening of primary school

From today (Monday), the government wants all pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Six to return to their classrooms, with no more than 15 pupils per class.

Leeds City Council has it will leave the decision of whether to restart lessons to individual schools, adding they will ‘not expect every school to open from day one’ as lockdown measures ease.

The authority is also following national guidance by not fining any parent who decides to keep their child at home.

Chris Dyson, headteacher of Parklands Primary School, in Seacroft, said he had hoped to open to Year Six this week, but has been forced to push back a week due to delays in getting personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.

He said: "With the Year Six's, they understand that 'this is my desk, this is my equipment', they know how often to wipe their hands down and what do in the playground, but with the little ones there is no chance.

"We are waiting to see what happens with the Track and Trace programme."

The current plan at Parklands is to phase in Year Six, Reception and Year One over the course of the month.

But Mr Dyson said confidence among parents was still low, with very small numbers actively wanting to return.

In Year One, zero out of 60 parents want to send their children back to school.

"Parents across the country are using their common sense, they are voting by keeping them at home," Mr Dyson added. "The confidence is not there."

The headteacher has sourced plastic gloves, hand sanitiser and masks for his team, but has told vulnerable members of staff to stay at home until September.

"I couldn't have it on my conscience if it got passed around," he said. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Mr Dyson is due to speak on a virtual meeting of the Leeds Parents For a Safe Return Campaign tomorrow at 6pm (Tuesday), alongside Leeds East MP Richard Burgon.

In a press release, the group said: "We support our schools and want our children to return. But only when it’s safe.

"The Government's own scientific advisors have stated that it is not yet safe to reopen schools.

"Many councils are refusing to reopen today for that reason and a broader reopening of schools is not supported by the National Education Union.

"The meeting will be an opportunity to come together to listen to a Leeds MP, a Public health expert and local teachers - and, most of all, for parents to share views, experiences and concerns, ask questions and plan actions to support teachers, and each other, in saying No Return Until it's Safe."