EXTRA measures are being put in place at Cheshire East schools to make drop-off and home times safer.

Despite Covid-19 schools in the borough have seen high attendances at the start of the autumn term after work was completed over the summer to minimise the risks of coronavirus.

Now, following a few days of full opening, Cheshire East Council is working to support schools by refining arrangements to improve safety, including allowing parents to enter the school playground when dropping off and picking up.

Some schools have reported congestion at the school gates and on footpaths, with people walking in both directions due to staggered start and finish times which has hampered social distancing.

Heads have been asked to adopt one-way systems in and out of school gates.

Cllr Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council's Cabinet member for children and families, said: "We've now had a few days to see how all the plans are working. Schools are adapting and amending arrangements where improvements can be made.

"For some schools, this may include allowing parents to enter the playground at drop-off and home time. While Department for Education guidance is that parents should not enter the playground, we know that, for some schools allowing this will enable better social distancing and actually improve safety.

"We have asked schools to advise parents to adopt a one-way system, where possible, with parents using one footpath to access school and the pavement on the other side of the road to leave school. We appreciate this may not possible in all cases.

"Allowing parents into the open space of a playground may help to give the space required to maintain social distancing at busy times."

The council says schools will need to risk assess any new arrangements and has asked the Department for Education for further clarification.