Nottinghamshire County Council confident ahead of the big return to school

Children and young people across the county will be returning to school next week for the start of the new academic year.
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And Nottinghamshire County Council has moved to reassure parents, carers and young people who may be feeling uncertain about getting back to school by providing children and their families with all the information they need to help them feel confident about getting back to the classroom.

The council has updated its ‘back to school’ web page with a range of information about returning to school, mealtime arrangements, travelling to school, support with emotional wellbeing and information for children with additional needs.

Coun Philip Owen, chairman of children and young people committee at the council, said: “The safety and wellbeing of Nottinghamshire’s children, young people, families and staff is our priority.

Nottinghamshire schools are ready for pupils to finally return for the new term. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty ImagesNottinghamshire schools are ready for pupils to finally return for the new term. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Nottinghamshire schools are ready for pupils to finally return for the new term. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

“The restrictions in place since March mean that many of the county’s school-age children won’t have been in school for some time when they go back – so it’s vital that they, and their parents and carers, feel supported and ready to return.

“We feel it’s important for all school-age children to get back to school safely, especially after so many missed out on much of their valuable education during the lockdown restrictions.

“Our education team continues to support school teams in their meticulous preparation and risk assessments ahead of September.

"These include providing advice and guidance on health and safety measures, ensuring we can do all we can to support children’s emotional well-being as they return and engage them appropriately in a return to learning with the right support in place."

The council’s transport team has also been working hard to ensure school transport services in Nottinghamshire run smoothly with new arrangements in place from September, in line with government guidance.

The authority is working hard to ensure sufficient capacity on school transport and is working with commercial providers, as well as contracting additional coaches to provide dedicated school transport services.

The council is urging parents to encourage their children to walk or cycle or to school wherever possible.

If that is not an option and they must travel by car, parents are being asked to avoid parking too close to school and instead, walk part of the way.

Coun Owen continued: “Planning journeys ahead of time will help things go smoothly and will ensure people are aware of what is needed if they must use public transport or dedicated school transport.

“We have worked hard with partners to get things ready and we are ready to respond quickly if need be.”

Should parents still have questions or concerns about the plans in place for their child’s school, they should contact schools and head teachers to discuss the specific measures in place, and check their school’s website for the latest information.

Throughout the pandemic, Nottinghamshire schools remained open for children of key workers and those who are vulnerable, and welcomed additional pupils back from June.