KITCHEN staff, caretakers, teachers, cleaners, headteachers, learning assistants, office staff and more – it takes a lot of caring, dedicated and professional people to run a school. 

And like all key workers, our school staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help get us through the coronavirus pandemic.

All through lockdown they kept their doors open for vulnerable children and those of other key workers. 

In June and July, schools welcomed back more children in some year groups to help with transition, supporting hundreds of young people to move on to the next stage of their lives as prepared as possible.

In the days ahead schools will be reopening fully, and I know that staff have been working hard over much of the summer holidays to prepare for the safe return of pupils.
St Helens Borough Council is fully behind our schools. 

We’ve been working closely with them, and the teaching unions too, and last week we launched the ‘All In’ campaign to stress the importance of getting children and young people back in education. 

The campaign is also to assure parents and carers about the huge amount of preparation that has been done to make sure things will be done as safely as possible.

My own children will be going to school and nursery this month, and as a parent I want to thank council staff and our schools for their hard work.

For more information about the safety measures in place, school transport, helpful advice on preparing your child for their return, and much more, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/backtoschool

Best wishes to all Star readers.