The re-opening of schools 

Since schools re-opened, the number of COVID cases amongst school age children has increased. When the pandemic started, we were told that those under 18 were less likely to be affected. With that being said, the guidelines set out by Public Health England forces schools to send home anyone who has been in contact with someone who has tested positive. This means that in many cases, whole year groups are being sent into 14 days of isolation.  

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 

Five weeks ago, schools across the country allowed all students back. In that time, hundreds have had confirmed COVID cases, hence the sudden spike. One local school that has experienced this is Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. On the 24th of September, the Dartford school – which is located a stone’s throw from our own NKC campus –  made the decision to send all of Year eleven students home after a girl tested positive for COVID. This amounted to 147 students with 4 staff members also told to self-isolate. The school immediately instated remote learning, which could be seen as less effective as learning in the physical school environment. As of October 2nd, all persons involved were able to return to the establishment.  

Should students be sent home? 

It is common knowledge that sickness bugs get carried around schools every day, and in this respect COVID is no different. However, pupils are not required to isolate when one person has the flu or a viral infection. Many people have expressed that students are currently suffering more from other, more common viruses than they do from COVID.  One thing is clear: Students need the interaction from the classroom, which is being removed from them if they are getting sent home. Although, with the UK moving back into phase 4 of the COVID spectrum, will schools be forced to close anyway?