A mum was left in tears after staff from her son's school were sent to her home when she failed to submit his homework.
She said she felt 'belittled' after receiving a message from The Willows Primary School in South Manchester, explaining how it had no contact from her, and that she hadn't submitted her son's work.
The school added that if she didn't respond by noon, a member of the safeguarding team would visit.
Advert
The 28-year-old parent, who didn't want to be identified, said she's simply been trying to keep her 'head afloat' during the pandemic, with two sons aged five and three at home, along with her partner's niece living with the family.
She had last sent work into the school from her eldest son on Wednesday 13 January, and that although he had completed his lessons the following two days, she didn't submit his pictures.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, she said: "He turned five on the 18th January and his little brother turned three on the 19th so we had a busy time really. He has four lessons a day to get through.
"This is all while trying to keep my head afloat, my house clean and tidy, entertain my three-year-old and homeschool all four lessons with my five-year-old and get my partner's 16-year-old niece to do her work, it's very hard and stressful."
Advert
The mum said she didn't let the safeguarding staff in due to coronavirus restrictions, and that when they left her doorstep she cried until her partner came home.
"I felt so belittled, they made me feel like I am failing as a mother, I am only trying my hardest," she said.
"I didn't let them in due to Covid and it shot my anxiety through the roof, when they left my doorstep I closed the door and cried till my partner got home."
She now feels that, as her son has only just turned five and doesn't legally have to be in school until September, the school's actions are extreme.
Advert
However, the school says it is simply following guidance, and makes 'no apology' for checking on the welfare of its pupils and families.
Sue Spiteri, executive head of The Willows Primary and CEO of the Children of Success Schools Trust which runs it, said staff had turned up at the home as they 'weren't aware the mum had spoken to staff'.
Advert
She added that the staff were following their 'legal obligation' to check on the well-being of pupils.
In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, Spiteri said: "We take our responsibility to ensure children are safe and well extremely seriously and I make no apology for that.
"We appreciate it's incredibly difficult for families at the moment and we are here to help them."
Councillor Garry Bridges also added: "In these unprecedented times, where children can't be in school every day, it's reassuring that our schools take their safeguarding responsibilities so seriously and continue to reach out and offer support."
Advert
LADbible has contacted The Willows Primary School for comment.
Featured Image Credit: PA