Doncaster school reports plunge in pupil numbers after new Government social isolation rules

Karen Fagg, head teacher at Park Primary School in Wheatley, said her school had 10 children at the start of the week, But today that figure fell to just four and she believes new Government social distancing rules mean more families can look after children at home.

She said: “All of our parents have been fantastically supportive of us and we have had no issues with them. We have had praise and thanks from them for staying open.

“Our kitchen is still open so we are providing packed lunched for any families that are on free school meals that need them. We have issued our families with the school admin and pastoral emails and they can get in touch any time if they need support and guidance.

“The school staff team is working very well together to support each other and the teachers are taking turns on a rota to come in and look after the children.

“We are using our nursery unit each day so that we can keep cleaning to a minimum and the environment is bright and welcoming for the children. You would not believe how many children love to go back and play in the nursery environment – even year six children. We had to leave the train set in situ last night so they could go back and take up from where they left off yesterday.”

She said she understood that there had been a very widely varying need across the country, and from speaking to other headteachers, knew of one school that was already working in a cooperative with another school and another school that had just one child in today.

Park has agreed to take two children from another school who could not accommodate them and will welcome them from tomorrow for as long as they are able.

“All staff have been incredibly tolerant, kind and level headed and are taking it in their stride - as I would expect from such a great team,” she added.