Individual Chesterfield schools will have final decision on when they reopen, council confirms

Derbyshire County Council is working with schools in Chesterfield to develop plans to get children in Reception, Year 1 and 6 - as well as Years 10 and 12 – back to school from June 1.

The council says it is providing risk assessments and advice, in line with government guidelines, and is ‘keen to see schools open as soon as they safely can’.

But, the authority revealed that each individual school’s leadership team will be able to make the final decision about when to reopen, adding they must consider their own circumstances before doing so.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: “Like all councils we have been following the very rapidly developing national situation regarding schools being open from 1 June 2020 at the earliest.

“We are committed to providing schools with the support they need to help keep children, young people and school staff safe and well while also maintaining our responsibility as a local authority to provide education and encourage a return to classroom-based learning as quickly as it is safe to do so.

“We’re keen to see schools open as soon as they safely can and the final decision on when to open rests with the individual school leadership teams.”

The Department for Education (DfE) recently announced that some year groups in England may be able to return to school provided that the government's five key tests are met.

Derbyshire County Council has been working with schools across the county to plan for the phased reopening, alongside the existing arrangements for children of keyworkers since schools officially closed as education settings on March 23.

A council spokesperson added: “We recognise that as school leaders headteachers and governors are the experts in this area and will take the correct steps, including carrying out thorough risk assessments and considering their own specific circumstances, to make their own decisions about reopening schools as soon as it is safe to do so.

“To support their work we have provided them with clear guidance, based on national evidence and advice, including a series of steps for them to consider before making decisions about when and how to reopen their school.

“We’ve also asked them to remain in contact with parents, carers and children to keep them fully informed and ensure they understand the reasons decisions are being made. Similarly, we’ve asked schools to keep their decisions under regular review to reflect any changing circumstances.

“Meanwhile, we’re developing a partnership group to work with schools to discuss issues, concerns and good practice to jointly develop approaches for all schools to use and will be keeping them updated with progress, while also continuing to respond to any requests for support at this challenging time.”

Representatives from teaching unions’ have met the government's scientific and medical advisers to express concerns about the planned phased reopening.

The National Education Union, which represents school teachers, further education lecturers, education support staff and teaching assistants, has set out five tests, with support from The British Medical Association, which they say need to be met for schools to open safely.

These include having much lower numbers of Covid-19 cases, a national plan for social distancing, and protection for vulnerable school staff.

Nick Raine, NEU Senior Regional Officer said: “The National Education Union strongly believes in the importance of education for all children. Our members have been working throughout the pandemic caring for children in schools and supporting learning at home.

“There’s a great deal to consider before a school can open safely. The government has decided that our youngest children are going back first. Teachers and support staff will be responsible for ensuring safe practices are implemented, as young children will not be able to do so themselves. Parents would expect nothing less.

“We want schools to open as soon as it is safe to do so. We do not believe that June 1 is that time.”

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor