Northampton parents ready for the challenge as schools shut their gates today

As part of the Government trying to take control of the coronavirus pandemic, it announced earlier this week that all schools would shut this afternoon.From Monday (March 23) this means most children will be asked to stay at home when they would usually be at school.

The responsibility to make sure they are completing work set by schools and ensuring they are getting the education they need has suddenly fallen with parents.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo asked parents on social media a series of questions about the closures and the responses were overwhelmingly positive.

Mums, dads and legal guardians in Northampton have shown that they are ready for the huge life change.

Asked if they supported the closures, how they were feeling about it all and how they would cope, many parents shared their feelings, plans and gratitude to teachers and schools.

One mum said: “My girls are quite upset that they won’t be attending school or seeing their friends. We have agreed to video call friends, share pictures through whatsapp etc. We will be homeschooling. We will have PE with Joe at 9am (free YouTube video) then we will do maths and English in the morning. Work set by schools and maybe some from Twinkle or

BBC bitesize to top up. Then lunch and the afternoons will be a mix of PE, project work (their choice) arts and craft and baking. We will make sure to go out in the garden, go for walks and to be active.”

Another parent added: “I have printed some homework for my little girl from the Twinkle website. She also has some online accounts set up by her school teacher so they don't miss out. I am happy that finally they chose to close the schools.”

Another grateful parent said: “I have kept my son out of school from last week so am pleased the school is now closing. His school has hand delivered a book with various log-on information for home learning to each of their pupils homes. Teachers have provided a timetable and lessons to take via google classroom and will be available to answer questions online Mon-Fri 9am to 3pm. Couldn’t ask for more really!”

One concerned parent said: “My daughter is five in May, she has no clue about what's going on, she's got no understanding of why her school is closed or why she can see her friends, I've tried to explain to her in age related ways too.”

When the Government made the school closure announcement on Wednesday, the Prime Minister also said schools will still look after the children of ‘key workers’, such as NHS staff, care workers and employees need to keep the food industry going.However, some Northampton parents who are considered ‘key workers’ have said they will still keep their children away from school.

One key worker said: “I'm a key worker and my son isn’t going to school anyway. I'm so happy they closed all schools now. We just need to stop unnecessary travelling and going out now. People don't realise how dangerous this virus is. If you don’t need to go, stay at home.”

A teacher added: “I am a teacher so I have to go to work but my children will be kept at home. No way I'm sending them in as it’s not social distancing is it?”

During Boris Johnson’s announcement he also confirmed that exams, including GCSEs and A-Levels, would not take place this summer, another issue parents have reacted to.

One mum said: “My son is finishing year 11 today along with many others. It’s not the way he or we as a family wanted him to finish in school but we are in difficult times and needs must. All the kids have been working so hard for their exams and I feel for each one of them. My son has been working so hard for his GCSEs he has general learning difficulties and an EHCP. He doesn’t find learning easy but I know he’s tried his best! That’s all we can ask of our children.”

Another added: “Totally understand why they have and agreement but have two kids doing GCSEs and a-levels - in less than 48 hours they have had to come to terms with today being their last day at school, saying goodbye to friends, no exams that they have worked so hard for and currently don’t know how they will be graded! Strange, sad and scary times.”

While parents ready themselves for a change over the next few weeks, children across Northampton are enjoying their last day at school for a while.

We want to know how this change affects you. Whether you have your children at home all day from Monday, or you have to send them to school as you are a ‘key worker’, let us know how it works for you by emailing [email protected].