Parents sent nine out of a possible 60 children back to school after their head teacher hit out at government advice to reopen.

Howard Fisher of St George's Church of England Primary School in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey wrote a brutally honest letter to parents on May 11 saying he would rather pupils "repeat a year than go back too soon and have to lose a child".

Head teacher Howard Fisher

The letter has been shared more than five million times around the world on social media and led to media organisations from This Morning in Britain to Fox News in the USA clamouring for an interview.

But Mr Fisher, 48, who has been in charge of the school in Chequers Road for the past 10 years has declined all offers.

He said: "I don't want to be drawn into a political debate."

However, he went against government advice by delaying the return of reception class four-year-olds. Older Year 6 pupils aged 10 and 11 were allowed back today. Reception are due to return next Monday. So far, only eight are expected.

Mr Fisher admitted: "It will be quite a challenge for our teachers."

His stand attracted widespread support but it has also drawn criticism. In his letter, written the day after Prime Minster Boris Johnson said it was safe for youngsters to return to classrooms, he said: "I can be truthful here and categorically tell you there is no such thing as social distancing in a school; it does not exist and would never exist.

"The reason childhood illnesses spread in a school is, surprise, surprise, because we are all in contact with each other. And this virus, we are led to believe, is a super-spreader."

He went on: "Do I want the staff and children back? Of course. Are you at the end of your tether at home? Of course you are.

"However, I am not going to sit and write to you to say we can achieve social distancing in a school. We can always make things safer. We could, perhaps, slightly reduce the risk.

"But as soon as you open the school, as far as my many years of experience tell me, the risk will be there."

He added: "There will some of you who say 'Let's just get on with it.' I respect that. But get on with what? There is not a reliable test, a vaccine or any idea about what to do next. There is just the possibility that things will be OK. And 'OK' is not good enough when it comes to the precious gift that is your child.

"Believe me, I would rather any child repeats a year than go back too soon and have to lose a child. Why is this not in the national debate? Because it will cost money."

Despite his reservations, the school, which has remained open for key-workers' children, has reopened for others and undergone a radical safety update.

From the moment you enter its car park, there are plastic signs heat-welded onto the pavement reminding everyone to keep two metres apart.

The signs, donated by London company ARC UK on the recommendation of dad Danny Turner, continue inside where there is now a one-way system in many of the corridors.

All visitors must wear plastic aprons, gloves and face masks if going into classrooms. Staff and pupils can wear masks if they wish.

Like so many other schools, soft furnishings, cans of pencils and unwanted desks and chairs have been stripped from classes and piled up in the school hall. Each class is now limited to two members of staff and a 'bubble' of up to nine children where there used to be 30.

Mr Fisher said: "If all parents of eligible children had sent their youngsters to school, I would have run out of classrooms and staff. This has been the most intense change in terms of time. There has been no real chance to plan effectively. Information from the government has been coming over at the last minute."

In reception, youngsters can sit two to a table. In Year 6 pupils have one desk each and face the front of the class. Everywhere there is black and yellow tape on the floor to mark two-metre squares. There are no lunch-time or after-school clubs.

Among the pupils back at their desks today was 10-year-old Oliver Huggins. He said: "It's a bit different to what it used to be. We used to sit together and there was no social distancing. But we are starting to get used to it."

Mr Fisher is not alone with his concerns.

Debbie Wheeler, the chief executive officer of the Island Learning Trust which runs Minster Primary School, Halfway Houses Primary School and Sunny Bank Primary School in Sittingbourne, has refused to accept reception children, saying they are too young, and Year 6s because she said they had already had a hurried 'goodbye'.

Jackie Kemp wrote on the school's Facebook page: "As a retired head teacher in primary schools, the mother to three teachers and a grandmother I applaud your take on the matter.

"Much as childcare may be an issue for parents being coerced to go to work, schools should not be used to ‘reboot’ the economy by providing childcare!

"Of course, the economy needs people at work but our children are our most precious assets and are not political pawns."

She added: "State school classrooms are usually built too small because the buildings are designed on the cheap. There will not be space to social distance, thus putting children and adults at risk of cross-infection."

Pauline Conway said: "At last some honesty. As a retired primary head teacher I agree totally with this, while at the same time expressing a small sigh of relief that I wont have to manage these government guidelines. Whoever advised the Prime Minister about primary schools re-opening at this time has never been in a school setting and experienced pupils of this age on the 'shop floor'."

Elaine Clegg said: "This is a man who has more common sense in one hair on his head than our government. He has our children's future in the palm of his hand and is not prepared to put them at risk."

But Sarah Walker asked: "Where's your data to suggest there is critical and fast spread of the disease amongst young children in the area? Are they really at risk? Please provide evidence."

Josephine Shaw said: "There is no solution worldwide. So do we stay at home forever? It is easy to criticize every decision the government makes. Maybe no more than 15 in a class might be an option?"

And Emily Holbrook added: "It makes me wonder what would happen if NHS staff just refused to work and the hospitals couldn't open?"

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