Some Primary Schools Stay Shut Over Covid-19 Concerns

Some schools in the Hfm Region have defied government advice and remained fully or partially closed over concerns about coronavirus.

Loatlands Primary School in Desborough is shut to all but children of keyworkers and youngsters with special needs, while Havelock Junior School in Desborough, Wilbarston C of E Primary and Rothwell’s Infant and Junior Schools are only open to some year groups.

Remote learning is being provided to children who have been told to stay at home.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister insisted classrooms were “very safe” and the risk of developing serious Covid-19 symptoms was “small”.

But unions called for a delay to restarting term, because of rising coronavirus infection rates.

A letter from Rothwell Schools headteacher Ashley Izzard-Snape to parents said: “You may be aware of increasing opposition to the Department of Education’s plan for the start of term for primary schools since the identification of the new strain of the Covid variant and the resulting rise in infections.

”In certain parts of the country primary schools have moved to remote learning for all but vulnerable children and those of key workers.

”School unions, acting on behalf of school staff, have now united in calling on the government to move all schools and colleges in England to remote education for at least the first two weeks of term..”

The letter that said staff were concerned and had exercised their right to safety in their workplace, adding: “As a result of this Rothwell Schools will only be able to offer face to face teaching for selected year groups.”

The letter said pupils in nursery, reception and year four should stay at home.

Pic: Sky News