Most parents don’t want to send their children back to school as soon as the coronavirus lockdown is lifted, a new study has found.
Just one in ten respondents of the Parentkind poll said they would be happy for their child to return to the classroom straight after schools are reopened.
A quarter (25 per cent) of parents who took part in the survey said they would feel comfortable with a September return date if it was confirmed now, while seven per cent favoured July.
A further 23 per cent said they would be reassured only once the Government says it is safe for children to go back to school, while 18 per cent said they would rely on school leaders and teachers’ to give the green light.
However, a tenth of participants said they would only feel at ease once staff and pupils had been vaccinated against Covid-19 – even if this took up to 18 months.
Asked what was causing them the most concern as parents during the pandemic, the top answers were that their kids were not seeing their friends (48 per cent) and that they were missing out on learning from teachers (38 per cent).
Between April 23 and May 4, 257,392 parents across England, Wales and Northern Ireland – representing 427,500 pupils – completed the online survey.
Schools, colleges and nurseries closed more than six weeks ago due to the virus outbreak, remaining open only for vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers.
Boris Johnson promised to deliver a “comprehensive plan” this week on how the UK lockdown may be eased and suggested he would set out efforts to get children back to school.
On Sunday, First Minister Mark Drakeford said schools in Wales could be allowed to reopen their doors from the start of June in a phased approach.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said schools in England are set to reopen in a “phased manner” after the lockdown, but he has yet to set a date.
John Jolly, CEO of Parentkind, said: “Parents are desperately seeking clarity and reassurance about schools reopening, what measures will be put in place to ensure their child’s education doesn’t suffer long-term, and how the mental health implications for young people will be addressed.
“The weight of our research and the strength of parent voice is a call to action for UK Governments to listen to parents when it comes to reopening schools, phasing children back into classrooms, and minimising the disruption to home life and the education of children.”
