Fylde coast schools battle to get back in class amid coronavirus restrictions

With Scotland going into virtual lockdown as virus cases rise and English Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to give the latest briefing at 8pm on Monday with pressure mounting from the Labour Party and teaching unions to stiffen regulations, schools followed advice to open where possible on Monday.

Only a few schools could not reopen, blaming health issues among staff, and education bosses again said that the best place for children was in school.

Among those to stay closed was Flakefleet Primary in Fleetwood which notified parents at the weekend.

A post on its Facebook page said: “We are so incredibly sorry but we have no option but to only be open to key worker families from tomorrow. Most of us are parents and know how massively stressful and inconvenient this will be, we really hope you understand and are kind in your comments, we really had no choice.”

Westcliff Primary Academy was open to vulnerable youngsters and children of key workers only as was Thames Primary Academy.

St Chads Church of England School in Poulton-le-Fylde is also only having key worker and vulnerable children in. Acting headteacher Mr Leeming said the school will remain closed due to “staffing reasons”. Highfurlong School, was also closed.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council’s director of public health, said: “The latest government guidance maintains that schools should remain open. We still believe that school is the best place for children and young people to be, both for educational development as well as physical and mental wellbeing.

“Long before schools reopened for the autumn term, Blackpool Council worked alongside school leaders to establish how we could ensure that schools were Covid-secure and compliant with the guidelines as set out by the government.

“This work has continued throughout the school year and, as the new term gets underway, everyone involved is working extremely hard to ensure that all of the relevant procedures are in place.

“We are continuing to monitor transmission rates in all schools and are adhering to guidance as set out by the government.

“We encourage everyone to play their part by keeping their distance at school drop-offs and pickups, wearing a face covering, practicing good hand hygiene and isolating and getting a test when needed – this will help break the chain of transmission.

Sean Bullen, interim director of education FCAT which runs ten primary schools in Blackpool, said that In FCAT primaries, classroom teaching was being provided for all at Gateway, Hambleton, Mereside and Westminster.

But due to Covid-related staffing issues at Westcliff, it was providing classroom teaching for key workers and vulnerable pupils only, whilst all other pupils receive remote learning.

He said: “Generally the day has started well, as our schools look to be as Covid secure as possible. We have reviewed our procedures and followed government guidance to the best of our ability. We wish all our children and their families a better 2021.”

Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools at Lancashire County Council said: "Since the pandemic began, schools and early years settings across Lancashire have done a remarkable job, continuing to teach young people either remotely or in person in safe, Covid-secure environments. Throughout they ensured that the children's needs come first, with special attention being given to those from the most vulnerable families and from families of key workers.

"Clearly the best place for children is in school, not just for their education but for their social, mental and physical wellbeing. Having looked at the infection rates in Lancashire and following advice from our public health experts, we are not advocating a blanket closure of primary schools across Lancashire at this time."

The following schools were open or planning to open:

Anchorsholme Academy, Eastpines Drive, open;

Boundary School, Dinmore Ave, open normally from Tuesday, Jan 5;

Christ the King Catholic Academy, Rodwell Walk, open from Tuesday

Langdale Free School, Meyler Ave, open from Tuesday;

Marton Primary Academy, Whernside, open;

Moor Park Primary, Moor Park Aved, open;

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary, Common Edge Road, open;

Stanley Primary School, Wordsworth Avenue, fully open.

St Bernadette's Catholic Primary, Devonshire Road, open;

St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy, Lightwood Avenue, open from Tuesday;

St John's CE Primary, Church Street, open from Tuesday;

St John Vianney RC Primary, Glastonbury Avenue, open;

St Nicholas CE Primary, School Road, open:

St Theresa's Catholic Primary, St George's Avenue, open;

Waterloo Primary Academy, Waterloo Road, open;

Blackpool Gazette:

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