​Schools advice – reopen this month but only when safe

Education leaders have written to all schools with the latest advice on reopening to selected groups of pupils.

They are advising primary schools to open no later than 22 June for groups of Reception, Y1 and Y6 classes, and secondary schools by 15 June for Year 10.

This comes in the wake of the Government’s decision to scrap plans for all primary school pupils to return before the summer holidays.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said: “Everyone wants our schools to fully reopen and give our children the education they need and deserve.

“It is essential, though, that they only do so after taking all measures to keep children safe. From the start, we said that the Government’s timetable was too ambitious and impractical, which has now been borne out by their change of mind.

“Figures from Public Health England suggest that Bury has an R rate of close to 1, which means the rate of infection being spread is merely plateauing rather than dropping substantially. Bury also appears to have a higher rate of cases than elsewhere in Greater Manchester and nationally.

“That’s why we need to maintain our vigilance regarding health, safety and wellbeing while supporting the appropriate return of additional pupils to their schools. Through daily and weekly monitoring and close communications with our key partners in education, we are maintaining a rigorous approach to pupil, staff and community safety.”

Whether and how to reopen is a decision for each school, but all will have carried out robust risk assessments around social distancing, site management and effective hygiene and cleaning arrangements.

Cllr Tariq added: “Secondary school head teachers have confirmed that they have sufficient capacity to start reopening from 15 June to Year 10 pupils.

“It’s more difficult for primary schools, being smaller, to open to several year groups and still ensure social distancing. Schools will therefore be using rotas, and phased attendance where appropriate.

“We’re confident that this timetable allows primary and secondary head teachers and their governors to make adequate plans for reopening, taking into consideration the concern that everybody in our community will have around the ‘R’ value.

“We will continue to discuss with our schools plans to reopen to all in September.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 11 June 2020.