Mixed feelings about schools going back next week

A teacher, parent and student speak to NN Journal about schools reopening next week

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By Natalie Bloomer

Next Monday schools in England will fully reopen to students. While some people are counting down the days others are feeling increasingly anxious.

The teacher

“I feel much more prepared this time around. When schools re-opened in September nobody really knew what was happening, the guidelines were constantly changing and different schools were interpreting them in different ways.

“I just wish teaching staff had been seen as a priority for the vaccine. There aren’t many other professions that are having such close contact with at least 30 different households at one time every day. Around half the staff at our school have now had Covid and it felt like just a matter of time until I caught it. When I did, I was lucky that my symptoms were fairly mild but it was a worrying time.

“I work with children that a…