Hastings council leader’s concerns over Government decision to reopen schools

The leader of Hastings Borough Council has written to East Sussex County Council expressing concerns over the Government’s decision to reopen schools from Monday (June 1).
Cllr Kim ForwardCllr Kim Forward
Cllr Kim Forward

Cllr Kim Forward penned a letter to the authority’s leader, Cllr Keith Glazier ahead of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday (Thursday, May 28), that schools will reopen on Monday for pupils in reception, Years 1 and 6.

She also sent a similar letter to Mr Johnson, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, the Regional Schools Commissioner and the academy trusts operating in the borough.

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In her letter to Cllr Glazier, Cllr Forward said: “I am very concerned by the Government’s decision to ask schools to reopen for some year groups on June 1.

“We are doing all we can in our borough to keep our infection rate low, keep our residents safe and save lives.

“I do not want to see the schools in Hastings and St Leonards reopening until we can ensure our children’s, our teachers’, our support staff’s and the wider community’s safety.

“As an ex-primary school teacher I fully understand the importance of education but I am also aware of the impossibility of keeping the Covid-19 virus at bay.

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“I urge you to join the other councils who are standing up for their residents and communities and saying no to schools reopening more widely than they are already on June 1.

“Saving lives is of paramount importance and now is not a time to be guided by untested assertions and hypotheses but by facts and evidence.”

In response, Cllr Glazier said: “Our schools in East Sussex have responded magnificently to the challenges of lockdown.

“The majority have remained open or worked with other schools in a ‘hub’ providing care for children of key workers and pupils who are regarded as ‘vulnerable’.

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“Schools have cared for these children while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their staff. They have remained open during school and bank holidays with attendance across the county on many occasions of more than 2,000 children a day.

“At the same time, they have continued to support the learning and wellbeing for those pupils at home through regular catch-ups and the provision of distance learning.

“Despite this, most children will have been out of school for 10 weeks when Term 6 commences on June 1 and the impact of this, not only on learning but on wellbeing, is profound.

Teachers and headteachers are concerned that, despite their best efforts, the lost learning will never be made up.

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“This is particularly true for disadvantaged children and young people; those least likely to have the necessary space and digital access and least likely to have parents/carers available to provide targeted home schooling.

“The gap in the attainment of these children has been too great in East Sussex for some years and teachers are only too aware that this gap will be increasing with every lost day of schooling.

“Schools have received extensive advice and guidance from the DfE about planning a phased return of specified pupil cohorts.

“A model risk assessment has been developed and shared with schools to support their management of a safe environment in accordance with the issues relevant for their own circumstances.

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“Because our schools differ so much across the county in terms of size, buildings, staffing, location and pupil need, one size certainly does not fit all which is why following the DfE the guidance and our support for schools in responding to it is so important at this time.

“I am very proud of the commitment of our schools to their pupils and their determination to open for as many of them as they can safely accommodate in order to secure their learning, wellbeing and long-term success.

“I believe that these teachers and headteachers deserve our support and encouragement in their endeavours and to know that we are standing alongside them as they make the necessary arrangements to welcome their pupils back to school.”

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