Trust’s schools will shut early for Christmas

A multi-academy trust overseeing four primary schools in North Kirklees has announced it is extending the Christmas break to prevent pupils and staff having to self-isolate over the traditional two-week holiday.

All 15 academies under the stewardship of Focus Trust will close their doors at the end of the school day on Friday, December 11.

The trust based in Oldham runs seven schools across Kirklees and Bradford and eight in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

The trust said it was taking the decision in order to “safeguard the wellbeing of our staff and pupils” and cited coronavirus cases continuing to rise in local communities as the deciding factor.

It added there was growing concern amongst its leadership that many children, their families and staff could be forced to self-isolate over the usual two-week break if they were to come into contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus while at school.

The move will affect pupils attending: Birstall Primary Academy Fieldhead Primary Academy in BirstallBoothroyd Primary Academy in Dewsbury Thornhill Junior & Infant School, also in Dewsbury.

The Department for Education suggested it was against the idea and said it had asked the trust to review the arrangement.

Focus Trust’s chief executive, Helen Rowland, said: “Our priority is always to safeguard the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our children and our staff, and every decision we

make is with their best interests, and those of our local communities, in mind.

“Since our schools re-opened to all pupils in September, we have followed government guidelines which stipulate that bubble groups should isolate for a period of two weeks if exposed to, and are at risk of spreading, the virus.

“Despite robust Covid-19 secure arrangements and working closely with