Parent’s anger over last-minute U-turn decision to close school
MUM FINDS IT ‘STAGGERING’ HER CHILD’S PRIMARY WILL NOT BE OPENING ON TUESDAY
AN East Yorkshire mum says she finds it “staggering” that her child’s primary school will not be opening tomorrow - despite parents being urged by the Government to send kids to school.
The woman, who does not want to be named, received an email from the headteacher of Anlaby Primary School yesterday afternoon advising that pupils should not come back to school on Tuesday.
This is due to unions recommending that schools should not currently reopen due to the rising cases of coronavirus.
The email reads: “Dear Parents and Carers, After the Government’s announcement of the new variant strain of Covid-19, you may be aware of the NEU and Unison positions on return to schools this week, which is that staff and children should not be in schools.
“They have recommended to all their members that they should not go in to schools but should be available to provide online learning. This is going to have an impact on us at Anlaby and how we arrange learning over the next few weeks.
“Our senior leadership team is currently taking stock of the situation and will be looking at how we
can arrange learning in the short term as we await further developments from the Government and the unions.
“The health and safety of all members of the school community has to take precedent in these uncertain times and this may mean that we might be in the position of having to close part or all of the school.
“When we have made arrangements we will let you know exactly what is happening as soon as we can. It may be wise to start thinking about alternative arrangements for child care and how your children will engage in online learning if we have to close.
“I am sure you will find this frustrating and I wish I could give you more notice to make arrangements but unfortunately that is not possible.
“Thank you for your continuing support. Your sincerely, Gareth May.”
In response to this news, the mum says that online home learning is not good enough for her child and she believes that the school should be listening to scientists, not unions.
She said: “I find it staggering how the school is choosing not to take government advice - I am really not bothered about what their union thinks.
“I take my advice from the government scientists who are saying it’s safe for children to return to school and so should the school.
“There was an abysmal setup previously with purple mash [an online learning tool], which to me was just giving worksheets to children.
“There was no teaching it was just ‘here do your times tables’ and there was no actual teaching, which created massive amounts of stress in the household as I not only had to teach my child, but I had to work as well.”
It comes as unions representing teachers and support staff have called for delays to the reopening of schools across the country.
However, the prime minister has said parents should send children to primary school today if they are open, in response to concerns over rising Covid-19 cases.
Boris Johnson said there was “no doubt in my mind that schools are safe” but did not rule out further closures.
Several councils have written to the education secretary asking for schools in their area to be told to stay shut, following closures in London.
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer said it was “inevitable” more schools will shut.
But Mr Johnson told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show the risk to children was “very, very low” and the benefit of education was “so huge”.
The prime minister also indicated that tougher regional measures may be required in parts of the country in the coming weeks to curb rising infections.