THE NUMBER of children having to attend school in Warwickshire during the crisis is falling say education chiefs.
Almost all schools and colleges in the county have remained open to take the children of key or critical workers and those classed as vulnerable.
Of 85,000 youngsters at nearly 250 state-funded schools, just under 1,500 attended on Wednesday as more children are being kept at home.
Warwickshire County Council education spokesman Colin Hayfield said: “This is a fantastic response in Warwickshire which the regional schools commissioner has commented on favourably. I would like to thank parents and carers for their responsible approach in keeping their children at home wherever they have been able to. Government has stressed repeatedly that it is essential that this happens.
“But while our goal is to have as few children leave the home as possible, we know that this cannot always be done.
“The county council has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to, in a matter of a few days, ensure that there was a place at a school setting for these young people. To have arranged all of that, plus transport and food, as well as arranging meals for children not attending school who are entitled to free school meals, has been staggering.
“And it must be noted that arrangements are in place to track some of our most vulnerable young people who are not attending an educational setting to make sure they are safe as possible.
“Everyone has pulled out all the stops. I would like to pass on our gratitude to the schools, colleges and early years settings and their staff who have been on site supervising.
“This huge effort will play a huge role in the fight against the spread of coronavirus. It will allow our critical workers to carry out their essential roles. And it will greatly reduce the social contact in our communities at a time when social distancing has been identified as integral to the fight against the spread of the virus.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk for more information.
