For a variety of reasons, we decided the time had come to explore our daughter returning to school 2 days a week. We had heard from other parents they had been told their child could not come into school for various reasons. We had a huge amount of questions around if our daughter was allowed to return to school and if so, what this would entail. We spent a considerable amount of time discussing these with the assistant principal. We had many questions which the assistant principal was very good and very understanding in answering.

These included things like:
• Who our daughter would be with? (students and teaching staff - we were told only TAs were in school, all teachers remained at home)
• Cleaning protocols and the use of PPE?
• Educational input to develop key learning and also to support key areas of need as identified in her EHCP?
• Likelihood of reviewing the shortened school day of 9.30 -2.45?

Plus, a number of other queries. All questions were led by ourselves, as there wasn't anything put out by school for us to get information from. The discussion around school transport never arose with school but we chose to drive her ourselves anyway. So, upon schools risk assessment and our 'risk assessment' saying our daughter could return to school she did, for
2 days a week. Our daughter seemed nervous about returning. We had asked for pictures of the TAs who would be providing her childcare and we were able to tell her she would be with her classmate and in her normal classroom. She wanted reassurance when she was finished that Daddy was bringing her home in the car. The level of PPE worn by staff at the school gate was a shock ... some staff were kitted out like they were heading into an operating theatre as opposed to a school. Her return to school however had such a positive impact on her and a knock-on positive effect on everyone else in the house. It was wonderful.