Webpage launched to help children go back to school with confidence

It has been designed to give children and their families all the information they need so they can feel confident walking through the school gates in September.

Alongside key information and content is a video records by West Sussex pupils who went back last term, they talk about some of the changes in a bid to reassure children who haven't been back since March.

Information is provided on: returning to school in a ‘bubble’, exam results, mealtime arrangements, support with emotional wellbeing and for children with additional needs, family summer activities and travelling to school.

West Sussex County Council shares the government’s ambition for every school-age child to be back from the start of the new academic year. The coronavirus restrictions since March 20 mean that the majority of the county’s near 115,000 school-age children won’t have been in school for nearly six months when they go back – so it’s crucial they feel ready, supported and confident to return along with their parents and carers.

Nigel Jupp, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We share the desire 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 school lockdown restrictions.

“Our education team continues to support school staff and governors in their meticulous preparation and risk assessments ahead of September. It’s so important that every child and young

person feels ready and confident about returning, and for families to be assured that all the necessary safety measures are being put in place. As well as speaking to their school about the

individual changes being made, I really hope families find this new webpage a useful tool to use together.”

Throughout the pandemic, West Sussex schools remained open for children of key workers and those who are vulnerable, and welcomed additional pupils back from June 1. The county’s

attendance figures was significantly higher than the national average, with nearly 22 per cent of pupils attending school towards the end of the summer term, compared to the national average of 16.9 per cent.

You can find the website here - www.westsussex.gov.uk/backtoschool

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