Mum of Buxton schoolgirl fears Covid-19 disruption will go ‘on and on’

Jo De Brito’s daughter Amelie was sent home on Tuesday along with every other Year 11 student after a confirmed coronavirus case.

In a letter to parents the school warned students would have to remain home until September 29.

It read: “I understand how anxious year 11 students will be to return to school and we are working to secure a safe return as soon as possible.”

Worried mum Jo told how the school had since written to inform her Year 11s could now return on Wednesday next week after working closely with Public Health England.

However Jo, 49, believes the huge disruption caused by single cases will go ‘on and on and on’.

She said: “My daughter’s just started Year 11 and has missed five months of school.

“She’s really worried and stressed because she knows how important it is to get good marks - these exams will affect the rest of her life.

“Amelie misses the structure and routine and the classes.”

However Jo added: “There’s no testing for asymptomatic children so I don’t see how they’re going to avoid massive disruption.

“If there was proper testing in place you could test all the other children in the year and get them back in the classroom as soon as possible.”

Headteachers have written to PM Boris Johnson pressing for priority testing in schools - however Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has refused to guarantee schools tests within two days.

The Government maintains children within compromised bubbles should only be tested if they show symptoms.

Meanwhile teachers – who want access to testing within 48 hours – warn schools may have to close to manage the risks.

Jo, who works as a translator, said: “This has happened one week into the school year and I just think it’s going to go on and on and on.

“As we go into the winter kids will get coughs and sore throats but they won’t be able to get tests - they’ll have to wait five days.

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