Sheffield boy, 8, writes letter to PM saying how much he will miss school during lockdown

An eight-year-old boy from Sheffield has penned a letter to Boris Johnson telling how he will miss being away from school during the new lockdown.
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Theo Thompson, who lives with his family in Ecclesall, returned to the classroom on Monday after the Christmas break and had been eager to start the new term with his friends and teachers whom he had missed dearly.

However, in an announcement that evening, the Prime Minister revealed that schools would once again close on Tuesday as England entered its third national lockdown.

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Theo Thompson, eight, will be sending a handwritten letter to Boris Johnson after news broke that schools would close during the third national lockdownTheo Thompson, eight, will be sending a handwritten letter to Boris Johnson after news broke that schools would close during the third national lockdown
Theo Thompson, eight, will be sending a handwritten letter to Boris Johnson after news broke that schools would close during the third national lockdown
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Facing the prospect of not being able to be in a school environment for the foreseeable, Theo has now written a letter to Boris Johnson expressing his sadness over the decision.

His mother, Jo, said: "We didn’t tell Theo the news on Monday because it was obviously late and we didn’t want him to be too upset about it, so we got him up and dressed on Tuesday and told him then.

"He was just upset but rather than stomping round the house he took him self off and said ‘I’m going to write a letter to Boris Johnson’ and sat in the room next door scribbling away.

"I think that it was just all the emotions and his passion that came out in the letter. He’s a very sociable boy and hates not being at school and not seeing his friends and feels particularly strongly about Boris Johnson – at the top he said ‘it’s all your fault’ but he didn’t want to cause too much upset so scribbled that out!”

Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has written to Boris Johnson.Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has written to Boris Johnson.
Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has written to Boris Johnson.
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Theo, like many other children across the country, has had to get to grips with online learning during the pandemic – something Jo says her son is not fond of and is one of many reasons he wants to return to Ecclesall Primary School.

Jo added: “He doesn’t enjoy home schooling at all, it’s just not the same. He loved school before but his attitude has completely changed and he really appreciates it now.

"He absolutely loved being back at school."

In the letter, Theo asks the Prime Minister if he can go back to school as he misses it so much when he’s not there.

Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has wrote to Boris Johnson.Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has wrote to Boris Johnson.
Theo Thompson, eight, pictured with the letter he has wrote to Boris Johnson.

The youngster will be sending the note to Downing Street and is hoping for a response.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.