THE leader of Hampshire County Council is contacting the Secretary of State for Education regarding concerns of parents and teachers about the return to school.

Councillor Keith Mans said he is getting in touch with Gavin Williamson to “stress” the concerns of those across the county in relation to Covid-19 measures, ahead of primary school children starting back tomorrow.

His comments come as the government has faced mounting pressure over the weekend to keep primary schools closed, with teaching unions telling primary school staff it is “unsafe” to return to work because of rising Covid infections.

Earlier today, prime minister Boris Johnson told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show that the risk to children was “very, very low” and the benefit of education was “so huge”.

He added that there was “no doubt in my mind that schools are safe”, but did not rule out further school closures and indicated tougher measures could be introduced.

In a statement released today, Cllr Mans said: “I am aware that some parents are worried about whether to send their children back into primary schools tomorrow and I can fully understand these anxieties, with Hampshire currently in Tier 4. There is also significant media focus on rising rates of infection nationally - and for us locally in Rushmoor, as well as the wider county as a whole.

“The competing and growing concerns about whether to open or close schools are clearly evident, and the need to strike a balance between the physical and mental well-being of pupils when they do not attend school and the continued spread of the virus. We understand the Government’s exceptionally difficult decisions in this regard – which are based on wider ranges of information than these increasing rates.

“Hampshire’s early years providers and countywide family of schools are continuing to work hard to keep Hampshire’s pupils, teachers and school staff safe, by implementing appropriate measures to help prevent the spread of infections when they are in school.

“We are extremely grateful for all the work that is being undertaken, and I am aware that many staff will have worked over the Christmas period to ensure that measures remain in place and adhere to the latest national guidance.”