ONE of Teesside’s biggest academy chains has announced its schools will welcome back a limited number of pupils from June 8 amid safety concerns from parents.

Rob Tarn, chief executive at The Northern Education Trust (NET), has written to hundreds of parents to tell them the plan for its schools across the region.

The Government wants to see classroom teaching of all children in nurseries, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from June 1, if it is safe to do so.

But Mr Tarn has told parents of pupils at the trust’s schools how it will take a “cautious and phased” approach to reopening – with the aim of bringing back Year 6 pupils only on June 8.

The letter added: “Our risk assessments indicate that it is easier to achieve social distancing with older children. It is therefore our intention to begin the phased return of our Year 6 cohort only on Monday, June 8.

“Following a further review of the risk assessment of our primary academies, (we) may then be in a position to admit a further year group – most likely to be Year 1 children – from Monday, June 15.”

The trust, which oversees 10 schools on Teesside, has also carried out a survey to gauge the views of parents on a return to school.

And Mr Tarn revealed they’d suggested a “significant number” of them were “not ready” to send their children back.

The letter added: “I understand that parents are worried about their children returning, but I do want to reassure you that we take our responsibilities for the safety of both students and staff very seriously.

“We will be taking every precaution possible.”

NET schools on Teesside: Frederick Nattrass Primary Academy, Norton, Freebrough Academy. Brotton, Badger Hill Primary School, Brotton, Dyke House Academy, Hartlepool, Manor Community Academy, Hartlepool, The Grangefield Academy, Stockton, North Shore Academy, Stockton, Norton Primary School, The Oak Tree Primary Academy, Stockton, Whitecliffe Primary Academy, Carlin How

The move comes after Hartlepool Council said it was taking a “cautious approach” to the government’s advice and had agreed schools would not reopen on June 1.

Stockton Council has backed a “phased approach” for youngsters returning – while Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston says children should only return once “all possible safety measures” were in place for staff and pupils.

Decisions on pupils returning are ultimately down to academies, which are now run outside local authority control, and headteachers and governing bodies at council-maintained schools.

Mr Tarn’s letter added talks about children from other year groups returning would be held next month – but he urged parents not to expect them to go back to school in June.

He added: “Any decision to admit further children will only be taken when we are satisfied that we can do this as safely as possible.”

Schools across Teesside are facing a busy half term with a raft of individual risk assessments, deep cleans and plans being arranged to keep everyone safe.

With exams coming next year, Mr Tarn’s letter explained there would be more opportunities for Year 10 and Year 12 students to have “face-to-face” interaction with teachers in “small socially distanced groups”.

These appointments would work alongside home learning which the chief executive said would have “significantly enhanced arrangements” so students can get feedback on their work.

Mr Tarn’s letter added the trust was working “very closely” with trade unions on risk assessments with detailed guidance also lined up for all staff.

The NET’s plan comes after the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust revealed it would also wait until June 8 to allow Year 6 children back to class, followed by Year 1 pupils on June 15.