Sheffield Star readers have their say on whether or not schools and universities should stay open

We asked Sheffield Star readers if they agree with this or if they think they should they close to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

The question provided to be a big conservation starter and prompted over 600 comments.

Here are some of them.

Lauren Smith said: “It’s totally the right thing [to keep them open]. Lockdown had such a negative impact on many kids mental well-being and education.

"My six-year-old is absolutely thriving on being back at school. Kids need structure and consistency. So they close them again then what? We can’t keep opening and closing schools, our kids deserve more than that. Teachers and schools are doing amazing from what I have seen.”

Karen Bolsover said: “Yes. My 13-year-old grandson has lost enough schooling. He had hardly any lessons during the last lockdown, he was just told to do BBC Bitesize stuff and had no feedback. He has lost four weeks since September and has had no lessons during that time.”

Leanne Fearn said: “Yes! My 4-year-old really suffered during the last lockdown, we noticed such a difference in her and it was heartbreaking to see! Keeping the school open, it’s giving her the time away from home and spending time and interacting with other children which is such an important thing in a young child’s life.”

Mel Machin said: “No. I have 14-year-old and 10-year-old. I am very concerned that schools will need to be closed, not only for the kids but also the staff. We can teach from home via laptop etc. I want my kids alive, educated preferably, but alive is the priority.”

Natalie Jackson said: “Not at all. If we must have a lockdown, let’s do it properly. No point letting kids mix all day then come home to other family members.”

Rosalind Hoyle said: “No. It all seemed to start getting worse again when schools and colleges returned.”

Joanne Flecknell agreed. She said: “Yes, at least keeping primary schools open. Unis should have never gone back, that’s when we saw the massive surge.”

Ericka Kemp said: “Yes. We can’t lose a whole generation to this. Education has to be priority or the country will suffer irreparable damage in the years to come.”

Anjum Ahmed offered her perspective as a teacher. She said: “I've the seen the effects lockdown has had on children. Lots of kids lost their routine, behaviour turned upside down and the general mental health of youngsters suffered. Schools have procedures in place to ensure that children are safe.”

Amanda Jane Thomson said she worried that if schools closed it would make things difficult for working parents.

She said: “Schools should stay open. If they didn’t parents would be forced to rely on grandparents for childcare - who in many cases are more at risk.”

Hayley Louise Broderick offered another suggestion. She said: “It should be down to each school to decide if they think their staff and children are safe enough. Parents should also be given the choice too.”

Emma Cooper also thought there should be a choice. She said: “Education is important yes, as is the mental health of our young people. People forget that Schools have remained open throughout all of this for key workers children and the vulnerable. It should be a choice to learn remotely or attend school depending on age, health issues and personal circumstance.”

Dawn Stevenson said: “There’s more germs spread in school and universities than any restaurant or non essential shop for sure. It’s ridiculous that’s he’s keeping them open. Lockdown should mean lockdown.”

Kerry Woodward said: “While schools stay open kids can carry Covid with no symptoms and pass onto teachers, who then take it home to their partners and it goes on and on. I think the only way is to close school and colleges too let It lower the R rate. I know it's not good for their education but it’s the only way I feel it will help at all.”

Rebecca Brunt said she could see the argument from both sides. She said: “Yes and no. Yes they should stay open as seeing my two boys so upset through the first lockdown by not being able to see friends was horrible.

"However, part of me thinks they should shut as it is spreading so fast in schools. My eldest has already had isolation once and my youngest’s school got shut due to the amount of positive cases. I believe if they do shut, they need to do online teaching through Zoom or something, not just setting work. It needs to be something where a conversation can take place.”

Sid Hague said he could also see things from both sides. He said: “I've got a daughter and seeing her sat in her bedroom day after day during the first lockdown was heartbreaking. So, I do think for education and mental health reason I think they should stay at school. However, I don't know if the numbers will come down that much if they don't and we end up in lockdown for months on end.”

Harry Low said: “We should go back to the lockdown we had in April when only essential shops were open and everything else was shut down, including schools, universities and colleges. Most lessons now can be done online.”