BRADFORD pupils are returning to the classroom for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted - and all eyes will be on what impact this has on the district’s infection rate.

While the school year is likely to look far more ‘normal’ than over the past 18 months, some schools have opted to keep all Covid safety measures in place, with one warning disruption in the coming months is “highly likely”. 

Bradford Council said the virus “has not gone away”, while neighbouring Calderdale Council said schools and the local authority are “ready to adapt as necessary if the Covid-19 situation gets worse”.

Ian Murch, president of the National Education Union in Bradford, recently warned: “Each time schools have gone back during this pandemic, there has been an increase in transmission.”

Cottingley Village Primary School has taken a ‘belt and braces’ approach, with no changes to its measures to begin with. Headteacher Nichola Geale told parents in a letter: “The reasons for this are twofold. We want the children to settle quickly into routines that they already know and feel confident with.

"We want to make sure that we have the latest and most up to date information from Public Health England in Bradford to ensure that if we adjust anything in school, we are doing so in order to do everything that we can to keep school open and operating as normally as possible, especially with Covid infection rates in the Bradford district rapidly rising again.”

She added: “From the information currently being shared with us and the situation that is unravelling in Scotland, with schools being back for a couple of weeks, it is highly likely that the Autumn term has the potential to be quite a disrupted time for us all.”

Crossley Hall Primary School, Fairweather Green, said: “We do continue to be aware that Covid has not disappeared and we will do our very best to minimise its impact in school life.

“We will continue to be guided by Public Health England and our risk assessments will be reviewed regularly.”

Head of School Eleanor Monnery said in a letter: “This year, we start the school year as near to normal as possible.”

She said children would no longer be in bubbles, they would be able to mix at playtimes and lunchtimes (two year groups at a time) and face-to-face assemblies would be held in the school hall. 

Helen Jones, Executive Headteacher at Appleton Academy, Wyke, said: “When pupils return to school, masks will no longer be required unless there is advice from Public Health England or the Local Authority that these should be reinstated, for instance in response to rising case rates in our district. We will have some measures in place to minimise contact between pupils but there is no longer a requirement to operate a system of bubbles.”

Beckfoot School Bingley advised: “Whilst removal of restrictions is now in place, Covid-19 remains with us across our community. 

“It is important that the remaining guidelines are followed by us all to protect those most vulnerable and to minimise disruption to face-to-face learning in school for our children.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, said it was hoped pupils would enjoy “a more normal school experience”. 

But, he added: “It is important to note, however, that all schools continue to take lots of steps to minimise the spread of Covid.  

“The virus has not gone away. Regular hand washing, good ventilation and extra cleaning remain important in our fight against the spread as does regular testing and self-isolating when anyone has symptoms or tests positive. 

“Our advice to families is to follow any requests from your school, be alert for any symptoms and if children are unwell, keep them at home and get a test. 

Cllr Khan said 30 primary schools are part of a national trial into the use of air purifiers and ultraviolet lights as ways to limit the spread of Covid.