WEST Somerset children have more chance of being struck by lightning than catching Covid-19 when they return to school on Monday, a top education executive claimed this week.

As preparations including teacher training days and social distancing systems were being finalised ready for all schools in the area to re-open after six months, Paul Rushforth, CEO of West Somerset Academies Trust, said: “We are in really good shape to take on this challenge.

“All the data seems to show that young children do not spread Covid-19 – throughout the pandemic we have not had a positive case among any of the children in our schools. For small children the risks are tremendously low. Statistically, they are more likely to be struck by lightning!”

All schools in the district, including West Somerset College, were this week following Government guidelines on how to protect staff and pupils from the virus when schools re-open next week, including older children wearing masks.

Training days, involving teachers and teaching assistants, have been carried out through Zoom sessions.

This week, local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger backed the return to school: “It is vitally important because home tuition really is no substitute,” he said.

“We cannot allow the current generation of pupils and students to fall behind on attaining the required educational standards.”

West Somerset Academies Trust’s schools cater for nearly 2,000 pupils and include Minehead first, middle and St Michael’s in Minehead, Danesfield and St Peter’s in Williton, Old Cleeve First School in Washford, and four nursery schools.

For the full story, see tomorrow’s Free Press.