Academy trusts running Calderdale schools to delay openings

Calderdale Council was one of the first local authorities in the region to oppose the government’s decision to re-open schools on June 1.

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 on June 1.

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

A number of academy trusts have confirmed they will not reopening on the date set by the Government.

The Together Learning Trust Schools academy, which runs Bolton Brow Primary Academy and Ryburn Valley Haigh School, is one of the organisations that said they will be not reopening.

David Lord Chief Executive Headteacher of Ryburn Valley High School said in a letter to parents: As you know all the Trust Schools have remained open for the children who have needed our support and care, including the children of key/critical workers.

"We would like to publicly acknowledge all the tremendous work done by children and staff during lockdown.

"We would also like to thank you, our parents/carers, who have been magnificent in supporting us and your children’s learning while in many cases also continuing work.

"Our school leaders have been painstakingly assessing the government guidance on schools opening more widely for specific year groups and planning exactly how to do this within the particular contexts of each school.

"As a trust, we believe a cautious, measured and phased approach is required where the safety and wellbeing of our staff, children and families is paramount.

"With this in mind, I can confirm that Together Learning Trust Schools will not be opening more widely on 1 June to year groups identified by the Government.

"Our schools will remain open, including during the half term break, for children of key workers and children identified as vulnerable.

"Our school leaders will continue to plan meticulously for specific groups of primary phase children to return to school (in the first instance) but this will be no earlier than 8 June 2020.

"Most staff will also be in school prior to this to ensure they test the plans and risk assessments in a calm, caring and consultative manner so that we can be as confident as possible, in these uncharted times, that when more children return to school all the needs, vulnerabilities and concerns for staff and children have been addressed.

The Northern Education Trust is another organisation that will not be reopening its schools by the deadline.

The Trust includes Abbey Park Primary Academy, Mount Pellon Primary Academy.

Rob Tarn Chief Executive of the trust said in a letter to parents.

"Our prime concern is always the safety of our students and staff. Parents would rightly expect that they can send their child to school in the knowledge that their safety is paramount. In

addition, staff and trade unions rightly expect that we adhere to our duty of care to ensure staff wellbeing as far as we are able.

"It is with this responsibility in mind that the Trust Board has made the decision to have a cautious and phased approach to our schools re-opening.

"A robust risk assessment is currently being undertaken for each academy and the outcome of this risk assessment and the government guidance in place at the time will inform our proposals and our final decisions.

"Our risk assessments indicate that it is easier to achieve social distancing with older children. It is therefore our intention, on Monday 8 June, to begin the phased return of our Year 6 cohort only.

"Following a further review of the risk assessment our primary academies may then be in a position to admit a further year group, most likely to be Y1 children, from Monday 15 June.

"The surveys we have undertaken suggest that a significant number of parents are not ready to send their child(ren) back to school. I understand that parents are worried about their

children returning, but I do want to reassure you that we take our responsibilities for the safety of both students and staff very seriously."

The Abbey Mutli Academy Trust is also considering its options to reopen its schools with a number of factors being examined.

The Trust runs Lightcliffe CofE school and Lightcliffe Academy

In a letter to parents Catherine Garrett and Helen Pratten Co-CEOs said: "As we have previously stated, we are committed to the wider opening of our schools when we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

"Risk assessments are currently being undertaken at each academy and these, alongside information from the government as to whether the five key tests have been met, will inform our decision making in relation to wider opening.

"It is our belief that it is important for children to resume their education so they can learn and interact with their peers.

"However, we acknowledge that this needs to be done in such a way that the risks to pupils, staff and parents is minimised as much as possible.

"As a Multi Academy Trust, any decision made will be as consistent as possible across our academies whilst taking into account the individual contextual information that has been identified through the robust risk assessment and planning process."