How parents in the East are reacting to the government's schools announcement

Parents across East Anglia have been reacting to the news that primary schools could reopen next month.

Under the plans announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday evening, pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 would be the first to go back to school from June 1 as part of a phased return.

The news has sparked a mixtures of responses from parents, with some worried about their children's safety, while others are pleased that they will no longer have to organise childcare.

ITV News Anglia asked parents to give their opinions on their proposals, and here are just some of the comments we received...

  • Those in favour of the plans

Kayleigh Barker and her daughter Grace. Credit: Kayleigh Barker

Nurse Kayleigh Barker from Ormesby St Margaret near Great Yarmouth hasn't been able to go to work since the lockdown started because of childcare issues.

She says that sending her daughter Grace back to school would help to relieve some of those pressures, but would also allow her family to get back to some form of normality.

"Children, especially I think, need to start getting their life back to some sort of normality and at what stage have they missed too much school? They can't miss too much. How many months will it go on for?"

  • Watch an interview with mum Kayleigh Barker

Nicole Hance wrote on Facebook that sending children back to school would present a good opportunity to teach them about social-distancing:

"A lot of people are saying that we shouldn't be sending the younger ones back as they don't understand the social distancing - it isn't going to end any time soon and it is our job to be reminding them," she said.

"We as adults are guilty of forgetting ourselves from time to time and of course it will be the same for them. I am not worried and won't continue to lock him (her son) up. He needs to get used to this new normal as much as us as adults."

Lindsey Jelfs added: "I have a child in Year 6, and he is happy to go back to get some sort of transition to high school in September. He is in a household with no health issues and no grandparents look after him, so why not allow him to return?"

Amy Daniels said that only Year 6 pupils should go back to school in order to prepare them for secondary school: "I really believe Year 6 should be the only year to go back they need to prepare for high school. No other years need to return until September. Reception and Year 1 are the worst years to send back because they cannot social distance. They do a lot of learning through play, touch and sitting on floors."

  • Those against the plans

  • Watch an interview with Rebecca Fisher

Rebecca Fisher from Burnham Market on the North Norfolk coast has three children, including one in reception.

Like many mothers, she's reluctant for her daughter to return to school too early because she believes it will be difficult to get children of such a young age to socially distance.

"How are you going to explain to a five-year-old that you can go back to school and see your friends but you can't necessarily go near them? Children that age don't understand things like that like an older kid would."

  • Watch an interview with Siobhan Stewart

Siobhan Stewart from Stotfold in Bedfordshire has mixed emotions.

She has four children, one in year one, one in year two and one in year six and another in year ten.

Siobhan says she does want to send them back to school to finish off the term, but is worried about their safety.

"I think it is going to be a struggle to do social distancing in school. It it too soon now to go back. I had it in my mind that they wouldn't go back until September."

Amy Boliver wrote on Facebook that she wouldn't be prepared to send her child back to school until she feels "it is safe to do so", while Annabelle Fisher said that "it's crazy to send the youngest children in first."

Gemma Harris added: "I have a son in reception and a son in Year 6 and I am not sending them into school, until I see parliament sitting together shaking hands. They should be showing us it’s safe, not using our children as guinea pigs! We aren’t allowed to go to family’s houses but it’s ok for hundreds of children to be in a school!"

  • Poll: Do you think children should return to school next month?

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