More than a fifth of parents with children in secondary school would prefer if their child was not returning to school to reduce their risk of contracting Covid-19. While 16% of parents with primary school children would rather schools didn't reopen.
Parents told Barnardos that they think its important however that their children do return to school for emotional and social development and mental health.
A survey by the charity has found the majority of parents feel they're not receiving enough information from their child's school about returning and what the day would look like.
When asked about balancing work and home-schooling during lockdown, around half of parents found managing technology for online learning difficult. 23% of both primary and secondary school parents said they didn't have ready access to the required technology for their child to learn remotely.
Over a quarter pf parents felt they did not receive enough supports from their child's school during lockdown.
Over half of parents said they incurred additional costs this year due to their child not being in school from March to June.
Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos CEO says the also asked children to respond to their survey.
“Children haven’t been heard throughout this crisis, so we felt it was important to give them a voice and let them have their say alongside their parents. 255 primary and secondary school pupils responded to our survey. Some told us they enjoyed aspects of being at home during restrictions earlier this year, but many found learning from home a challenge. Many more had mixed feelings, both about being at home during school closures and going back to school.
