Calderdale Council tells schools not to re-open over safety worries

Calderdale Council has become one of the first local authorities in the region to oppose the government’s decision to re-open schools on June 1.
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The Government expects nursery, reception, year one and year six pupils to be back in primary school, and year 10 and year 12 students to their school or college, from the start of next month as infection rates fall.

But the council has advised all non-vulnerable Calderdale schools and colleges not to open more widely amid safety concerns of children and teaching staff.

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Burnley Road Academy govenor Karl Boggis said: “As a parent I would be reluctant to send my child back to school this early.

Calderdale Council has become one of the firstlocal authorities in the region to oppose the governments decision to re-open schools on June 1.Calderdale Council has become one of the firstlocal authorities in the region to oppose the governments decision to re-open schools on June 1.
Calderdale Council has become one of the firstlocal authorities in the region to oppose the governments decision to re-open schools on June 1.

“The logistics behind re-opening Burnley Road Academy, which is temporarily situated at Mytholmroyd’s Moderna site, is beyond comprehension.

“The government want schools re-opening to have correct ventilation; one of our classrooms has no windows and we have one corridor for access in and out of the building. To re-open and abide by what the Government are asking is near impossible.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said teachers and pupils will be able to test for Covid-19 if they develop symptoms when they return to schools.

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But Todmorden’s Castle Hill Primary School head Janet Leggett said: “The right thing to do is to hold off re-opening schools. As headteacher I need to make sure I can guarentee parents their children are safe, and cannot do that at this stage.

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Martin Moorman

“Testing aside, we’re unsure the role children are playing in the spread of this virus. I’m relieved Calderdale Council has taken a stand.”

Michael Gosling, chief executive of Trinity Multi Academy Trust, which includes St Chad’s Primary School, Brighouse, and Trinity Academies in Halifax and Sowerby Bridge, said it would be difficult for staff to make sure pupils were social distancing, especially among younger classes struggling to understand the concept.

He said: “It’s a logistical challenge. Year 1 pupils, for example, don’t understand what a distance of two metres is or why adhering to it’s important. I sympathise with special schools, monitoring vulnerable children and how they will provide a different approach.”

Ravenscliffe High School headteacher, Martin Moorman said: “We’re a special school looking after vulnerable children and there’s a lot of anxiety from parents I’ve spoken to.”