Southport schools keep lockdown lingering as parents beg teachers to take kids back

Less than one in ten primary schools across the north-west reopened at the start of June, according to latest findings.

A survey carried out by the National Education Union (NEU) shows that while as many as half opened to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in some other areas of the country on June 1, only 8% did in the north-west.

Scientists say the ‘R number is creeping up’ and is over one in the north-west, sparking fears that the coronavirus epidemic could take off again.

Many schools in the north-west will therefore delay reopening until later this month.

Some parents in Sefton have raised concerns about sending their children back to school and Liverpool city region metro mayor Steve Rotheram has questioned whether lockdown relaxation is being lifted too soon.