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Using school transport in September

Shropshire Council say that from September:

  • Their home-to-school transport will run at full capacity. They ask that pupils and students avoid using public buses where possible.
  • They will provide extra buses on public routes in rural areas. The extra buses will be just for school children and students. *
  • Pupils should use the same seat every day on school buses. Seating will reflect school year group ‘bubbles’. The eldest pupils will be at the rear and the youngest at the front.

During the journey, pupils should:
– face forwards
– not touch others
– not move out of their seat, and
– avoid loud talking, shouting or singing.

Pupils should follow standard precautions about:
– wearing face coverings
– frequent hand washing
– covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing
Pupils should not travel if they are unwell, or if they or any member of their household is showing Covid-19 symptoms. (NHS guide to symptoms is here.)

The Council’s full guidance about school and public transport is at here.

* In the Bridgnorth area the extra services will be on the 436 service for Shrewsbury College and the 9 service from Oldbury Wells and Bridgnorth Endowed to Rudge Heath and Upper Ludstone. More details here https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/15962/public-buses-for-school-pupils-students.pdf

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Getting children back to school

The past few months have been incredibly difficult for pupils and teachers. We must ensure no child’s opportunities are diminished due to this terrible pandemic – that means getting children back to school safely.

A comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is critical to reopening classrooms as safely as possible.

Ministers need to work with local authorities to improve the NHS Test and Trace service, which is still failing to reach enough close contacts. https://t.co/GsFQkDDYov

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) August 10, 2020

However, school leaders, teachers, parents, and pupils need to feel confident that their schools will be COVID-safe once term begins in September.

Boris Johnson needs to step up and take action if this is going to happen. We must have a comprehensive test, trace, isolate system in place. The current NHS Test and Trace service is failing to reach enough close contacts; we need to see significant improvement before September if we are going to safely reopen schools.

The Government must also address the practical and financial support requirements that are involved with fully reopening schools. School leaders and teachers will be under serious pressure to adapt to making schools COVID-safe – they deserve a Government that fully supports them through this difficult time.

Liberal Democrats want to see radical steps to support education providers, from making community spaces available to schools, to a Teach for Britain campaign that can bring in new staff in this difficult time.