Jabs for schoolchildren are key for normality - headteachers
Headteachers insist it is crucial children aged 12 to 15 are given the coronavirus vaccine to bring back "all of the fun stuff" - as well as ensuring schools are not hit by yet more disruption.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is pushing for the jab to be rolled out to children between 12 and 15 as pupils return to school across the region following the summer holidays.
Heads fear Covid outbreaks could lead to children missing out on yet more of their education following the chaos of the last 18 months.
Currently the jab is only being offered to over 16s but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is now coming under pressure to extend it to younger children, as has already happened in the US and parts of Europe.
Dr Gill Eatough, chief executive of the Learning Community Trust (LCT), which runs three Telford secondary schools – Ercall Wood, Hadley Learning Community and Charlton, said: "I think, looking at the number of cases in the UK and what's happening with the Scottish schools, the education system would welcome the vaccination being rolled out.
"I'm hopeful that lots of parents would view it as a positive. It means we can get back to normal.
"We want to be enjoying it. We want to bring back trips, visits, plays and concerts - all of the fun stuff. Being in the school play or playing for one of the sports teams is an important part of childrens' development.
"It would be up to the parents whether they want their child vaccinated, but I would hope they would see it as a positive thing.
"It is a complex issue, but I thought the decision would have been made earlier to get children vaccinated. I was hopeful it would happen during the holidays.
"We just want to get back to normal, and the vaccinations would help."
Mr Williamson told the Star: “We obviously have to wait for the JCVI, but I think it would be incredibly reassuring for parents to know that they have the choice about whether to get their children vaccinated.”
