The Telegraph
The gates to England’s schools were thrown open once again on Monday morning as another period of learning from home came to an end. For England’s schoolchildren, new face mask and testing guidance will make the return to school feel notably different to what they were once used to. Boris Johnson has already insisted that easing lockdown measures must be "irreversible", indicating that he does not foresee schools having to close again. Despite this, unions have already threatened parents with school closures if too many pupils fail to wear face masks. We’ve spoken to schoolchildren and parents to find out how they’re feeling on the first day back at school. Read on for the best discussion points from our readers and share your own view in the comments section at the bottom of this article. 'I'm sad that we will have to wear masks' Amy Tennant, a student in Year 12: "I’m so excited to see other children, to laugh, argue and just interact with them and to feel like a teenager again. I’m excited to get out of my house. I’m sad we have to wear masks when children are going to be tested, so masks shouldn't be necessary. I fear we will get headaches, struggle to concentrate and feel agitated. "I have struggled with my schoolwork, not being able to get clarity on the things I struggle to understand, despite being forecast A grades. There has been no personal approach to our learning." 'The face mask rules are horrendous' Paula Muncey, a parent who has children in Year 10 and Year 13: "I’m anxious and angry at the prospect of my children returning to school. The testing of healthy children is bad enough, but thinking of them sitting for hours in a mask is horrendous. I've told them it is not mandatory but I fear that they will feel pressured to wear one. "I have been a big supporter of my children's school until now. They have reluctantly agreed that face coverings are not mandatory but say they will be strongly urging students to wear them. I have written two emails to the headteacher to clarify what their position is, and I received a nasty letter from the chair of governors in response, telling me to 'desist from sending any more emails to the school on this matter'. Desist from caring about my children? "My two teens have been quietly getting on with their schoolwork while they have been at home. They’ve had little feedback so we’ve no idea if they are falling behind."