A HEADTEACHER says anxiety levels over coronavirus among staff and parents went ‘through the roof’ before primary schools reopened today, January 4.

Children across Northwich were back in classrooms at most schools this morning following the Christmas break – while schools holding inset days are due to welcome pupils back tomorrow.

Teaching unions had called on the Government to halt plans to welcome back all primary school pupils today, questioning whether the move would be safe for staff or families while the new variant of Covid is spreading across England.

Simon Kidwell, headteacher at Hartford Manor Primary School, told the Guardian that 200 parents joined a Zoom video call held yesterday to discuss the issue – compared to just a handful of families that dialled in to a similar chat before the school holidays.

“Clearly the levels of anxiety have gone through the roof,” he said.

“We have had 89.5 per cent attendance today. Parents told us they felt anxious about a lack of information on the new strain and the impact it can have.

“We were glad to see the children back, we opened at 7.30am for breakfast club and we close at 6pm, but clearly parents are anxious about what is going on and they are anxious about another lockdown.”

A joint statement from the GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, Unison and Unite unions insisted there was a ‘serious risk’ of staff falling ill while Covid infection rates are so high before schools reopened today.

But the Government has insisted that schools should remain open in all but some areas seeing the most extreme Covid infection rates.

Mr Kidwell, who is also Cheshire branch secretary at NAHT, added: “We heard from Gavin Williamson, he said that schools are incredibly safe, but I think you cannot say that at the moment because we don’t know enough about the new variant.

“We have seen what has happened in London and Kent, where the numbers were rising even in the November lockdown, and now they say the strain is on its way up north.

“I would like a decision based on the science. I want to see schools open where they can but only if it is safe, and that includes the safety of the wider community.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make an announcement on further measures to tackle coronavirus at 8pm tonight.

READ > Covid vaccination roll-out set to arrive in Northwich

Earlier today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out a new national lockdown, but he did say schools should reopen in most areas.

Mr Hancock told Sky News: "There is clear public health advice behind the position that we have taken and that is what people should follow because, of course, education is very important as well, especially for people's long-term health.”