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A day of confusion over whether primary schools in Bristol should reopen
It has been a stressful start to the new term for all concerned amid widespread uncertainty and confusion over whether primary schools should reopen.
The official line from the prime minister on Monday morning was that children should return to the classroom, but many primary schools in Bristol made last minute decisions to remain either completely or partially closed.
Staffing shortages and concern about a lack of guidance on safety were among the reasons cited for keeping school gates shut.
is needed now More than ever
Secondary schools have already pushed back the start of the spring term.
During what should have been the first day of term for many, a growing number of Bristol primary schools were forced to make their own decisions about whether or not to reopen – although everything could still change, with Boris Johnson set to address the nation at 8pm on Monday and the expectation a third national lockdown could be looming.
Whitehall Primary School is due to remain closed for two weeks – photo Whitehall Primary
Marvin Rees has criticised the Government for a habit of “last-minute announcements that keep those outside of Westminster guessing”, saying the current practice “adds to uncertainty and risks undermining public trust”.
In a blog published on Monday afternoon, the mayor said school leaders and headteachers are best placed to decide on whether or not to reopen.
“Working parents should not be finding out only on the morning of the first day of a new term that their child’s school is not opening as expected,” said Rees.
He added: “We need the city to come together to support teachers and children. Where schools are not able to be safe places for all children with full classrooms, we must ensure that online teaching is an option as is supported to be as effective as possible, as part of the solution for our children.
“We must ensure that support structures are in place for vulnerable children and communities with food and other invaluable support. We need Government to work with parents, teachers, unions, and councils to mitigate the worst consequences of the pandemic and invest in our plans for educational recovery.”
Cathedral Primary School was among those that announced closures on Monday, with headteacher Sara Yarnold saying in a letter to parents the school will be closed to all but key worker and vulnerable children until at least Friday, January 8 due to staffing availability.
Sefton Park Infant School advised its premises will be temporarily closed to children in reception, year one and year two, with the exception of those whose parents are critical workers, while Whitehall Primary School announced it will remain closed for at least two weeks for all but key worker and vulnerable children.
In an updated letter to parents on Monday, the headteacher of Air Balloon Hill Primary School, Tim Browse, announced the decision to keep the premises closed for all but pupils in year six, vulnerable children and “where possible, children whose parents are key workers” due to a lack of “sufficient staff to operate the school safely”.
Bristol City Council is understood to have spent the day in talks with school leaders but is yet to make any official statement.
Nationally, there is growing pressure from education unions, councils and opposition parties, including Labour leader Keir Starmer, to keep primary schools closed.
Tweeting on Monday afternoon, Bristol North West MP Darren Jones expressed his support for headteachers who made the decision to keep schools closed, saying: “I’m sorry that the Government has caused such confusion and distress for pupils, parents and teachers.
He has joined other politicians and charity and education leaders in signing an urgent letter to the prime minister calling for immediate support for pupils who need better access to online learning.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read more: Primary schools in Bristol decide whether to reopen
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