Medway schools have been praised for their efforts following government guidance to reopen.

Primary schools were given the green light to reopen from Monday, June 1 for children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6, and more than 70% of primary schools in Medway reopened in the first week.

Medway Council says this will increase to 95% by mid-June, which equates to 75 out of 79 primary schools in the area.

The council says it has worked closely with schools to provide support and advice to head teachers, and help make decisions on reopening around classroom sizes and the number of classrooms, based on the availability of staff and outside space.

Cllr Martin Potter, portfolio holder for education and schools said: “Schools and academies in Medway have worked incredibly hard to put comprehensive plans together to allow children to start returning to the classroom. Thank you to all of the head teachers and their staff, as well as the council’s schools team, who worked tirelessly on plans for the phased return to school since the government announcement. I’d also like to commend Medway’s children who have adapted extremely well to the changes and uncertain times they too have been faced with.

“We are now working with secondary schools on plans which will allow pupils in Years 10 and 12 to return to the classroom.”

Cllr Josie Iles, lead member for children’s services, added: “Thank you also to schools for your continued support for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and also to all the teaching staff for the support you are providing to pupils in other year groups learning from home.

“Teams across Medway Council are continuing to support children and young people throughout the pandemic, from providing activity packs for young children to holding online sessions for older teens. We will continue to do all we can to support young people and families across Medway during these challenging times.”

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