A school has advised parents that they should not be ‘socialising’ with other people when they drop off or collect their child.

Wensley Fold CE Primary Academy School in Blackburn took the step of advising parents and also asked for only one parent to come to collect their child.

The school said it was not an issue for the majority and they were just reminding parents of the guidelines and encouraging visitors to follow the rulings wherever they can.

In a message to parents, the school said: “Please can we remind all parents that they should not be socialising on the school grounds and that only one adult should be dropping off and collecting a child. “We have worked hard to keep your children safe in school and all we are asking is that parents support us by distancing themselves in the grounds and not stopping to chat.

“Can we also remind you that it is illegal to mix with anyone outside of your household. Thank You.”

The official government advice says that ‘some nurseries, schools or colleges may need to stagger or adjust start and finish times. This helps keep groups apart as they arrive and leave the premises. If schools or colleges choose to do this it should not reduce the amount of time they spend teaching - but it could mean that your child’s start or finish times change.’ There is no official advice for parents dropping and picking up their children.

However, children and young people aged 11 and over are advised to wear a face covering when travelling on dedicated transport to secondary school or college.

It adds: “If your child needs to share a car to school with someone outside of their support bubble or household, they should: share with the same people each time; open the windows for ventilation; if they are over the age of 11, wear a face covering”

Joanne Siddle, Head of Education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We would urge everyone at our schools to follow the local restrictions and guidance, especially social distancing at pick up and drop off, to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect the most vulnerable in our community.”

This week a raft of new measures are being introduced to curtail the spread of coronavirus. Pubs, bars and restaurants in England will be ordered to close by 10pm each night from Thursday under tough restrictions. The UK’s four chief medical officers this week recommended raising the Covid alert level from three to four – the second highest – indicating the “epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially”.