For thousands of parents across Bucks, Friday marked the final day of homeschooling after months of remote learning amid a third national lockdown.

Ahead of children returning to the classroom tomorrow (Monday), we asked parents how they felt about schools reopening and whether they were ready to send their children back to classrooms.

Dozens of readers commented on the Bucks Free Press Facebook page, with many saying teachers and vulnerable school staff should have been prioritised for vaccines.

Sarah Baxter, who is an ICU nurse, said: “Glad for the mental health of the children but a bit worried as an ICU nurse that we’ll see numbers rise again. Teachers should have been vaccinated before they reopened,” while Sally Elizabeth commented: “Totally happy to send them back. I just hope that any vulnerable staff have had their vaccine or are allowed to work from home until they have.”

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Sarah Bradley said: “I personally think it's the right thing to do for the sake of the children and for the parents who are juggling working and being a teacher at the same time, however, it all would have felt like a much safer option if teaching staff had been prioritised for vaccines.

“The only thing in place to stop numbers rising again is hope and a prayer.”

Kate Berry said she is “anxious” but it is the “best thing” for her children, adding: “Not just for learning, but to see their friends again,” while Jodie Nind said: “100 per cent yes and made even better by the fact my children are eager to get back to class, but I do feel the teachers should have been able to access the vaccine.”

But Blaine Jelly said: “I'm not physically or mentally prepared for the onslaught of dreadful driving and parking, or the inevitable rise in Covid cases again,” and Dawn Brake commented: “I think after Easter would have been better.”

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Nicky Feakes, whose two children are shielding, wrote: “My two are not allowed back until Easter at the earliest because they were put on the shielding list and we still haven’t received any information/confirmation letter explaining anything.

“No-one is talking about those kids who aren’t allowed back.”

It comes after the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, said the government was looking into a five-term school year and shorter summer holidays to help schoolchildren catch up.