Stay shut for another two weeks, city council is urging its schools
SHEFFIELD COUNCIL is advising schools not to open to more pupils from Monday, citing fears that the NHS Test and Trace system will not be robust enough to be in place by next week.
The decision comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the Government’s five key tests for easing the lockdown have been met – and schools can admit more pupils from next week.
Primary schools across England will reopen to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from Monday.
But the local authority in South Yorkshire said it does “not yet feel assured it is the right time” to admit more children and is advising schools and nurseries “to delay increasing numbers” until June 15.
Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “We have been advised by the Sheffield director of public health, Greg Fell, who has reviewed the local position, and he does not feel assured that the Test and Trace programme will be sufficiently well established and robust enough to be in place for June 1.
“He has advised that the Test and Trace system should be in place and working effectively for 14 days before schools and nurseries begin increasing their numbers.”
Coun Mohamed went on: “We do not yet feel assured it is the right time and are advising our schools and nurseries to delay increasing numbers until June 15.
“For maintained schools, where the council is the employer, we are instructing schools not to increase the number of children attending more widely.
“For all other schools, academies and nurseries in Sheffield, we are strongly advising that they also delay their wider reopening to June 15.”
Ministers have come under pressure from unions and councils who have urged the Government to reconsider its plans to open schools more widely.