THE driving force behind four south Essex schools has stressed the need for caution after medical experts called on the Government to re-open schools.

Dr Margaret Wilson, chief executive of Zenith Multi Academy Trust, made it clear the safety of the children, staff and families is top priority.

The trust runs the King John School in Thundersley, James Hornsby School in Laindon, Castle View School on Canvey and Laindon Park Primary School and Nursery.

Dr Wilson spoke as experts in infectious diseases in children called on the Government to allow children to go back to school.

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Dr Alasdair Munro and Professor Saul Faust say evidence from around the world shows that children have less chance of catching Covid-19 and are not “super-spreaders” of the virus.

Dr Wilson said: “I think the Government needs to be considering how and when the schools re-open in a way that ensures the children and staff are kept safe and their families are not put at risk.

“I think the Government will take all the advice given to them but I think we will see a partial re-opening to help schools deal with social distancing.

“At a trust we have been installing screens to help with open plan working in offices, like those screens used at supermarkets.

“We will also be taking all the advice from the Government and I expect to see an important announcement in Boris Johnson’s speech on Sunday.”

Southend Council also underlined the importance of safety of pupils, teachers and school workers.

Anne Jones, Labour Southend councillor for children and learning, said: “I am sure the Government is looking at all manner of evidence and studies like this to inform their decisions.

“Our priority is and will remain the safety and well-being of our children, and any return date will be entirely led by the Government and medical advice at that time.”

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Schools across the country closed their doors to most children in March as part of the Covid-19 lockdown. They remain open for vulnerable young people or children or key workers.

In an article in the British Medical Journal online, Dr Munro and Prof Faust point out that children are less likely than adults to catch Covid-19, and they are also less likely to spread it.

Jerry Glazier, secretary of the Essex branch of the National Education Union refuted the claims.

Mr Glazier said: “As a union we say the schools should not be re-opening until it’s clear and we are confidence that it is safe for them do so.

“There is evidence to show and prove children do catch the disease and can spread it. I know from teachers I have spoken to that even with a small number of children in schools it’s very difficult to observe social distancing.

“If this cannot be done then children will go to school and spread the virus about and take it home and infect their families.

“We want out schools to be as safe as possible and that’s also what our parents want too.”