Lockdown 'damages young people's life chances'

Schools across the Bradford district and the rest of the country have been welcoming pupils back, although in high schools it has been a phased return to allow Covid testing of students to take place.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “It is really important for children and young people to be back in school not just for education, but also for their health and wellbeing. We know how damaging lockdown has been for young people’s life chances.

“We have been working with schools, unions and our health partners to make sure that the reopening has been done in a safe and measured way that does not risk seeing infection rates rise again which might prevent the easing of other restrictions. We know infection rates in our region are not falling as quickly as other parts of the country and there are pockets where rates are still stubbornly high.

“Each school has carried out its own risk assessment and welcomed children back in line with their risk assessment, allowing children to return safely. For some that has meant a phased return by different year groups this week."

The return of children to school has been backed by a leading psychologist and board member at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

"Everything is always a balancing act," said Mark Mon-Williamson, a psychologist at the University of Leeds who serves on the BRI board. "But I welcome the fact that pupils are back on school premises.

"We have to think about their long-term mental and physical health.

"For me, the science says the children should be in school."

Although many children will be pleased to return to school, some pupils have flourished with home learning with the help of teachers.

Cllr Khan added: “School staff have been doing phenomenal work throughout the pandemic.

"I am full of admiration for their efforts to support our children and young people at this very difficult time.

“I am also hugely grateful for all the hard work that parents and children have been putting in while learning from home."

One parent has spoken about how well a Bradford school supported her children's learning at home and helped them thrive.

Nadia Sahaf, who has two sons at Tong Leadership Academy, Muhammed Abuzar, in Year 12 and Muhammed Abubakar Latif in Year 10, said that the school had been wonderful throughout the pandemic.

She said: “As a teacher, I know how hard staff at the school are working and I really wanted to recognise those efforts and say an enormous thank you.

“The team at Tong have made such a difference to my sons and have helped to keep them inspired and moving forward throughout this challenging time.

Dan Styles, principal at Tong Leadership Academy, thanked parents for their support and said that staff were excited to be able to welcome all of the school’s pupils back onto the school site.

He said: “We are very fortunate to have such wonderful support from our parents.

“Their inherent kindness and support for our staff, who have all been working exceptionally hard, helps us to build an even stronger community around our school.

“We are very excited to be able to welcome our pupils back to the school site and to continue to offer our pupils the very best education possible.”