A head teacher of one of the few primaries remaining open to all pupils says schools have been let down by the government - but that it is right to stay open.

Cliff Stokes, who leads Newington Community Primary School in Ramsgate, says the right place for children is in school, although he admits parents must make their own decisions as to whether to send them in.

He also accuses the Department for Education of having a "lack of grip and clarity" meaning parents and staff having to make decisions they should not have to.

While some parents kept children home from Newington today, others on the school run this morning backed Mr Stokes, saying the school feels safe and it is crucial for some pupils' mental health to be in the classroom.

On Sunday evening, leaders at many primary schools across Thanet - which were due to open today and tomorrow - announced they would stay closed, except to key worker and vulnerable children, with online learning instead.

It followed a hugely contentious move by the government to re-open schools in east Kent, while shutting others across the county for two weeks due to high infection rates.

Secondary school pupils in all areas must do online learning at home until January 18.

The decision to keep primaries open in Thanet, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe sparked fury with the leader of Kent County Council, Cllr Roger Gough (Con), writing to education secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to allow all primary schools to remain shut due to "very high" rates.

But as the start of term neared, schools in those areas were forced to take matters into their own hands and announce delays to the start of term. Only a few in Thanet now remain open to all pupils, including Callis Grange in Broadstairs and Newington.

Mr Stokes said: "I have been consistent during the past nine months that, as an educationalist, I think that the right place for children to be is in school, for the sake of the children’s education, as well as enabling parents to go out to work, in that order.

"We have stayed open because, as a community school we are told by KCC to open and it is therefore my job to make sure this happens.

"I have made it clear to parents that we will make the school as safe as possible, but ultimately it is their decision.

"However, from the start of the pandemic, as long as parents have been supporting their children's learning, then we have said that whatever their decision, it is the right one for them.

"As far as staff are concerned, I have made it very clear why I feel it is right to open, and they can then choose to take their union's advice if they feel it is unsafe to be in school.

"I think we have been let down by the Department for Education, with their lack of grip and clarity on the situation, which has left parents and staff making decisions that they should not have to make."

Parent Sarah Farley welcomed the decision to stay open while on the school run.

"Kids need normality, mental health is a big issue with children," she said

"I couldn't ask for more with what Mr Stokes is doing."

Hannah Wendholt has two children at the school and said: "I think it's great that they've opened. They reassured the parents that they'll do all they can to keep the children safe.

"There are a lot of children, especially in this area, who need to be at school.

"I've got a new baby, I couldn't teach my children at home myself. They both have additional needs and to be able to do that at home with a new one wouldn't work."

She says the school run was no quieter than before Christmas.

"Obviously if people can keep their children at home they have, but it's down to the individual," she added.

Throughout Sunday evening, head teachers wrote to parents announcing closures, some for a few days while the situation is assessed and others for two weeks.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet