Schools right across England and Wales are set to reopen next week and will welcome children back through the doors for the first time since the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown began.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a statement yesterday encouraging parents that it is safe to send children back to school in September.
He emphasised that a swift return to schooling is “vitally important” for children as the risk of contracting the virus is “very small”.
He also added that it could end up being “far more damaging” for children to remain at home and these are claims that are backed up by the official advice of England’s top medical experts, who have expressed that returning to the classroom next month is both safe and necessary.
The UK government has recently issued fresh information for families ahead of institutions reopening – including social distancing measures, face covering rules and exam resits – and an insight into what the typical school day is set to look like post-lockdown was also revealed earlier this month as well to offer as much piece of mind as possible, but how do parents and carers in Greater Manchester really feel about sending their children back to school?
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Naturally, there is some apprehension.
Is it too early to be returning to studies? Or an appropriate time? Do parents/carers feel confident it is as safe as it could be? Have children seemed happier and more willing to learn at home? Or are they eager to return to normality?
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Here at The Manc, we always want to know where you stand.
Ahead of the big day for schools reopening next week, we were keen to gather your views and so we took to our social platforms this morning to ask our loyal audience of Mancunians on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – ‘How do you feel about your kids going back to school?’
Are you comfortable with it, or completely against it? Either way, we asked you to let us know your thoughts.
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This is what you said:
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Facebook
Our growing audience over 580K people on Facebook were keen to share their thoughts on this topic and these are a few of the responses we received.
Are you comfortable with/ completely against it? Either way, let us know your thoughts ??
We also posed the same question to our active audience over over 180K followers on Twitter to gather their thoughts on the situation and invited all manor of response.
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Here are just a few of the viewpoints provided.
How do you feel about your kids going back to school in September? Are you comfortable with/ completely against it? Either way, let us know your thoughts ??
We received a large number of replies to our question across all social platforms, so we unfortunately haven’t been able to include every single one in this article. Instead, we chose to feature a few that seemed to resonate the best with our audience and received the most interactions overall.
Are you keen to have your say?
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Well, there’s still time to chip in, so make sure you head on over to The Manc to read the other responses, leave your thoughts and discuss with other Mancunians in the same or different positions to you.
If you would like to read on how the opinions and attitudes toward schooling amongst Greater Manchester residents amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have changed over time, then you can also have a read our article – ‘The Manc Asked: Would you feel comfortable sending your child to school next month?’– published back in May here.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Role Model at O2 Apollo, Manchester – a night where everyone wanted to be Sally | Review
Clementine Hall
The O2 Apollo was a sea of cowboy hats and gingham for Role Model’s return to Manchesteron his No Place Like Tour.
If you don’t know who Role Model is, then you’re probably not a 20-something year old girl addicted to TikTok and strawberry matcha like me – and that’s absolutely fine, but Role Model, aka Tucker Pillsbury, is more than just a social star with a couple of viral hits.
His steep incline to stardom, especially through his latest album Kansas Anymore released last summer, and the follow-up deluxe Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), earlier this year, has recently seen him perform on SNL with Charli XCX, as well as this week featuring in People’s Magazine Sexiest Man Alive 2025 edition in the centrefold spot, no less.
So it’s safe to say, he really is the man of the moment.
Role Model on stage at O2 Apollo Manchester in November 2025 / Image: The Manc Group
The all-American heartthrob wasted no time getting into his catalogue of hits, kicking things off with ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, before transitioning smoothly into ‘Look At That Woman’ and ‘Scumbag’, all taken from his 2024 album.
Guitar firmly in hand, Role Model shimmied across the stage effortlessly as a sea of adoring fans sang every single word back without fail.
The highlights from the show are never-ending, like taking a seat and singing the beautiful ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’ from a leather notebook – which he tells us is “my favourite song I’ve ever written, and I’m going to read it to you like a story”.
His vocals are identical to the studio recordings, and the energy in the room was just how you wanted it to be, especially during the iconic bridge in ‘Some Protector’.
Presuming you’re not familiar with the Role Model lore? Well, allow me to fill you in.
Each night during the undeniable smash-hit, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’, Tucker brings out a special guest to be that night’s so-called ‘Sally’ and dance on stage with him.
On the European tour so far, London were treated to Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan back to back, so it’s safe to say we were waiting with baited breath to be introduced to our very-own Sally.
Although we didn’t get anyone famous (we were hoping he’d go super meta and get Sally from Corrie, but alas), what did get was arguably better. A lovely, smiling fan who held Tucker’s hand and had the absolute time of her life for that one-minute where all eyes were on her – this is what it’s truly all about, at the end of the day.
If anyone in that crowd went home without feeling a bit in love with Role Model, then I’d be very surprised.
His effortless charisma oozed throughout the performance, and we can’t wait to welcome him back in Manchester again.
Maybe next time, I’ll be Sally.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Jamie Carragher fires back at journalist after being turned away from Etihad away end
Danny Jones
Jamie Carragher has fired back at a tabloid journalist after he reported on the ex-footballer being turned away from the Borussia Dortmund away end during their meeting against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this week.
The former Liverpool and England player was reporting on the Champions League match as part of his usual ‘Golazo’ duties for the US on Wednesday, 5 November, and was hoping to join in with travelling fans during the game.
Carragher became part of the ‘yellow wall’ last year during their UCL fixture against Chelsea, being adopted as a Dortmund supporter for the day, but was not granted the same privilege upon arriving at the Etihad this time around.
Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan wrote a piece explaining how the working presenter was turned away due to safety concerns raised by security at Man City, but the 47-year-old has now given his own retort.
Just trying to have a good time with the Dortmund fans Mike, it was no problem it wasn’t allowed. Next time message me & I’ll tell you all you need to know, rather than Simon at Man City giving you a story. Probably explains why you’re so sympathetic around the 115 charges.
As you can see, the retired defender turned Sky Sports and CBS pundit was less than pleased with the piece, clarifying that there was “no problem” over the decision, asking instead why he didn’t contact him directly for a comment.
In addition to seemingly naming names, he also couldn’t resist the urge as a rival Red to take a jab at City’s ever-looming FFP breaches, suggesting that the outlet has been somewhat biased in its coverage of the ongoing saga.
However, Keegan didn’t let the spat pass without his own right of reply.
Reacting directly underneath the response, the sports writer added: “I already knew the facts, Jamie, but you clearly don’t.
“Next time you’re covering a game at City, you should probably apologise to Simon for wrongly accusing him of being the source on the story.”
Either way, this is as far as Carragher got on his way to the ground:
While it is still unclear as to who exactly ‘Carra’ and Keegan are referring to in their exchange, many have speculated that it could be Simon Pearce: a non-executive director at the club and part of the CFG (City Football Group) board; he has been tied to the ongoing allegations of financial deception.
Onto the action pitchside, not only did scoring machine Erling Haaland come back to haunt his former team once again, but the Blues ran, maybe not riot, but much closer to their vintage best, with Stockport’s very own bagging a brace and Rayan Cherki scoring his first UCL goal under Pep Guardiola.
The Manc -
25th August 2020 
