Newham Council has today (28 May) stated its position on the proposed reopening of primary schools to more pupils from 1 June.
“Newham Council continues to stand side-by-side with our young people, schools, teachers and parents, and the whole community as we respond to the Covid-19 global pandemic and its impact in our borough. We share the deep concern felt by parents, teachers, support staff and school leaders about the Government’s proposals that primary schools open to larger numbers of pupils from 1 June.
“Since the end of March, the vast majority of schools across Newham have been open for children of key workers and vulnerable children, and continue to provide home learning for pupils who have remained in their homes. We commend their efforts, and those of the parents concerned, during this time of national emergency.
“While we all want to have more pupils returning to our schools, we only want this to happen as soon as it is safe to do so. That’s why the Government has been unhelpful in setting an arbitrary date of 1 June, as a significant majority of our schools in Newham will not be ready by this time.
“Last week, Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz expressed her concerns that schools shouldn’t reopen on 1 June due to the underlying health inequalities and deprivation that have led to a disproportionate impact on residents, particularly those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. All these factors mean that our residents are more vulnerable in the event of a second wave of COVID-19. This is why the Council has announced it won’t take action against any parent or carer that decides against sending their child to school on the 1 June.
“The Mayor and Council believe that it is important that the Government ensures that the necessary conditions are met before it makes the decision that it is safe for children to return to school. For this reason, the Council is demanding that the Government and Public Health England provide it with timely and complete Covid-19 related infection and transmission data for the borough, because at present this is not being provided. The Council also needs the resources to support the regular testing of children, staff and a whole school.
“All schools are conducting risk assessments specific to each school’s local circumstances and context. Newham Council is establishing an Expert Advisory Group comprising of clinical practitioners, to provide additional advice and assurance to support the risk assessments being developed by schools in Newham.
“While the Council provides advice and guidance, ultimately it is the school’s governing body which determines if a school should open. The vast majority of schools in Newham have decided that 1 June is not the appropriate time to open for more pupils, and we welcome the conclusions that they have reached.
“We are all coming together to work collaboratively to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in our borough, prevent a second wave and save lives. That’s why we believe that schools in Newham should only open further when they will be safe places for staff and pupils.
“We’ve been proud of our teachers, school staff and parents who have worked together during the Covid-19 lockdown and will continue to work to support them in the coming weeks and months ahead. They know that we all need to come together to work collaboratively on this so that we reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in our borough, prevent a second wave and save lives together as a united Newham community.”