Petition demanding parents have choice whether to send children back to school signed by 300,000 people

In his national address last night, the Prime Minister announced tentative plans for some year groups to possibly return to primary school in June.

Under plans it would be staggered return to the classroom, starting with reception children.

A petition has since been launched on Change.org demanding that parents are given a say over whether their little ones should return to school.

Lucy Browne, who started it, said: ‘Many of us have lost confidence in the Government's handling of this crisis and feel it is too early to return children to schools.

‘As a mum I don’t want to face serious repercussions for making a choice I feel affects the safety of my daughter during a global pandemic.’

Lucy’s daughter is at primary school and would be one of the first to return.

Deborah Mawer who signed the petition said: ‘I have a child with asthma and asthma myself and would not feel safe sending them out to potentially then have us both very very ill.’

Teaching staff are also raising concerns over the government's plans.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth policitians split after Boris Johnson announces 'first careful steps' towards easing lockdown restrictions

Michelle Forster who signed the petition wrote: I am a teacher and believe that we cannot return to school safely as we do not have the correct equipment, space or resources to manage the pupils and ensure social distancing measures and PPE.

‘Returning to school before it is safe puts thousands of pupils, families and staff at risk.’

The petition has over 300,000 signatures and has been the fastest growing petition on Change.org UK since the Prime Minister's speech on the 10th May.

Lucy’s petition can be found on Change.org’s website here.

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