'Why put them at risk?' - South Tyneside families speak out against Government's plans for school return on June 1

Speaking at the Downing Street press briefing on Sunday May 24, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is sticking to his date for schools opening in England on Monday, June 1 – but added that "it may not be possible" for all of them to do so.

Early years, Reception and Years 1 and 6 are set to be the first to return, with hopes for secondary schools to provide “some contact” with Year 10 and 12 children from Monday, June 15.

At the same briefing, Mr Johnson said the Government was being "deliberately cautious" and that a final decision on returning to school would be taken next Thursday as part of the formal review into the current lockdown measures.

Meanwhile, the National Education Union said it was still opposed to the June 1 date.

And with one week to go until the Government’s intended return date for schools, we asked Gazette readers if they would feel comfortable sending their children back to the classroom on June 1.

At time of writing more than 200 people had voted in our poll with 79% answering no.

This is what you said on our social media pages:

Kirsty Dickson: “The flu can be fatal to some people just like coronavirus but we don't hide away from it, we carry on as normal. We have to go on living our lives otherwise there isn't going to be a NORMAL world to return to.”

Caroline Errington: “Absolutely disgraceful they are not getting educated anyway so why put them at risk?”

Anjii Grace Beck: “Hope these people voting no are still keeping safe, because the majority of folks are now carrying on as normal.”

Ingrid Golden: “Give [until] September 1, see how it goes but no holidays Blackberry week only Christmas break, if all well.”

Gary Thompson: “It’s all about our instincts … I’ll send our four back when my instincts tell me it’s safe.”

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