Councils backed headteachers’ decisions over reopening plans

ROYAL BOROUGH AND SLOUGH:

Before lockdown was announced on Monday, some primary schools in the boroughs had made the decision not to reopen their doors immediately.

Some schools also announced emergency inset days to make risk assessments and examine their options.

Slough Borough Council released a statement on Sunday saying it would support schools to make whatever individual decisions they must make on whether to open.

It said: “As a council we strongly support our head teachers in any changes they feel they need to make to protect the operational viability of their school and so they can continue to provide the best service to children.

“We have been in contact with our head teachers throughout the weekend and they are dedicated to finding the best solution for your children; no one knows their school, their staff, their families better than our head teachers and they have our support, operationally and morally.”

The Royal Borough also released a statement on Sunday saying it would support headteachers’ individual decisions about how to proceed.

Teachers unions took the position that all school staff should be given priority access to COVID-19 vaccinations before asking staff to return.

Councillor Stuart Carroll, lead member for health, discussed the issue with the Express on Monday.

He said in response that the first priority for vaccines must go to those at greatest risk of death from the virus.

“When this is explained, everyone agrees that this is the right thing to do, the most ethical thing,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of having children in school as much as possible if it is safe to do so.

“When we look at public health, we also have to look at children’s education, their mental health, their life chances and their development of social skills,” he said.

He added that schools were

‘the best place’ for children’s continuity of education and their health.