Cheshire East Council has said it is working with schools to put additional measures in place to make drop-offs safer, including allowing parents in the playground.

Following a few days of full opening for many schools, the council says it is working to support schools in refining arrangements, particularly to avoid congestion at the school gates.

Cllr Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: "Schools, pupils and parents are doing a fantastic job in getting back to school safely.

"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 (DfE) 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.

Cllr Flavell pointed out that some schools were seeing congestion on the footpaths outside of schools with parents and children walking close to each other.

She added: "In these circumstances, 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 be possible in all cases.

"Allowing parents into the open space of a playground may, in some cases, help to give the space required to maintain social distancing at busy times. Schools will need to risk assess these new arrangements and will advise parents if they change their arrangements.

The council are in contact the Department for Education on the matter for further guidance.