Infection rates ‘should not be a barrier to children returning to school’ after Stoke-on-Trent passed its peak for new coronavirus cases.

That’s the message from Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown, who has written to all Potteries schools to try to reassure them. She has also thanked them for ‘working incredibly hard’ during the pandemic.

In her letter, she reveals she is ‘broadly supportive’ of primary schools reopening to whole year groups from next week.

But this should be based on the ‘most up-to-date local evidence’ and children’s safety ‘remains our key priority’. The decision should also be made by individual schools ‘when the time is right for them’.

Mrs Brown added: “We are continuing to track very carefully the progress of the infection.”

Her comments came as the Government announced it is pressing ahead with plans for schools to reopen to nursery, reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from Monday, June 1. Ministers have acknowledged some schools won’t be able to meet that target date.

Teaching unions are still demanding further assurances.

Earlier this week, the city council’s Labour group also wrote to Mrs Brown, urging her to ensure five key safety tests were met before schools welcomed back more pupils.

Her own letter refers to concerns raised by teachers and parents about Covid-19 infection rates in Stoke-on-Trent.

Council leader Abi Brown

She said: “The infection has reached a peak in our city at a later stage than it did in other parts of the country, such as London and Birmingham, but we are now showing a clear downward trend.

“Our latest public health advice is clear: provided we all follow Government guidance, maintain social distancing where possible and wash our hands often, the prevailing rate of infection or incidence of new cases should not be a barrier to children returning to school on June 1.”

The city council has been offering support and advice to schools to help get them ready.

“We also continue to liaise closely with the Department for Education, trade unions and other agencies on a range of areas, including personal protective equipment, logistics and staffing,” added Mrs Brown.

“We continue to provide additional public health expertise to schools if required and have made an extended offer to schools to contact us if they need more support.”

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Latest figures show there have been 275.6 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people across the Potteries. That is higher than the England average of 260.5, but lower than a number of other major urban areas.

The Office for National Statistics has revealed 13 people in Stoke-on-Trent died in the week ending May 15 – down from 24 the previous week.

The city council is now writing to parents to confirm they won’t be put under pressure to send their children to school this term. No fines will be issued if they choose to keep them at home.