Final schools reopening decision to be made by Harrogate headteachers this week

Headteachers in Harrogate have been left to make the difficult decision of reopening schools from June 1 after weeks of wrangling between the government and teachers' unions over coronavirus safety concerns.
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Education bosses at North Yorkshire County Council say they will give their "full support" to headteachers with whatever decision they take after the government announced its intention to push ahead with its primary school reopening plan.

While some 50 councils are believed to be ready to defy the government's instructions, North Yorkshire County Council says parents will be actively encouraged to send their children into school.

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Stuart Carlton, the council's Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Service, said: "North Yorkshire County Council understands these unprecedented times may cause stress and anxiety, but rest assured we are here supporting schools and head teachers as best we can to make the correct and safest decisions in line with government advice.”

Classrooms in Harrogate have been empty since March.Classrooms in Harrogate have been empty since March.
Classrooms in Harrogate have been empty since March.

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Reception, year one and year six classes will be the first to return to primary schools, while secondary schools will begin to provide 'some contact' from 15 June.

Announcing the move, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it is "crucial" for children to return, while acknowledging it "may not be possible" for all schools to reopen in the coming weeks.

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It is the headteachers and governing bodies on the ground who need to make arrangements for social distancing.

But teachers unions' have warned some schools will not be ready to welcome children back by June 1.

Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT, the UK's second-largest teaching union, said the reopening plan is "seriously at odds with scientific evidence" and "the deep concerns expressed by schools, teachers and parents."

He said: “The government has yet to reassure parents and teachers that opening schools from 1 June will be safe and now appears to accept that many schools will not be able to reopen on that date.

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Teachers and the public need to be convinced that the actions by the government will not put at risk the health and safety of teachers, children or the general public.”

The government guidance for keeping school children safe from coronavirus includes keeping the youngest children 3.5 metres apart and a queuing system for the school run.

It also says dividers could help keep children in different parts of the room and toys that are hard to clean should be removed.

Visitors will also be limited and windows kept open for better ventilation.

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Teachers will be asked to ensure children wash their hands regularly throughout the day while keeping small, consistent groups of children together.

North Yorkshire County Council said while it could not yet provide a list of reopening schools in the Harrogate district, each school will be required to undertake a risk assessment before they can reopen.

It added some schools may be ready to reopen from June 1, but many will have staggered start dates.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter.