Primary school pupils in West Norfolk head back to classrooms
Primary school pupils in certain year groups across the borough have returned to the classroom today.
Meanwhile, some parents kept their children at home and a number of schools have delayed their re-opening.
The phased re-opening of schools in England, which had been open only to children of key workers and vulnerable children since March 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak, was announced by the Government last month.
As of today, schools have been able to re-open for early years, Reception, Year One and Year Six.
And from June 15, up to a quarter of Year 10, Year 12 and equivalent 16-19 further education students can return at one time to secondary schools, sixth forms and college for face-to-face contact to help them prepare for exams next year.
On Friday, it was announced that seven schools which belong to a West Norfolk academy trust will re-open on Monday, June 8.
The West Norfolk Academies Trust told parents on Friday morning that the re-opening of its seven infant, junior and primary schools would be delayed by a week from June 1 to June 8 to “ensure staff are fully trained and are confident with the new arrangements”.
The schools affected are Clenchwarton Primary, West Lynn Primary, Snettisham Primary, Heacham Junior, Heacham Infants, Walpole Cross Keys Primary and Gaywood Primary.
This will see Year Six children return on Monday, June 8, followed by Year One children on Tuesday, June 9 and nursery and Reception children starting on Wednesday, June 10.
Roger Livesey, chairman of the trust, said: “The trustees made a decision last night to delay the re-opening of our seven infant, junior and primary schools by a week from June 1 to June 8 to ensure staff are fully trained and are confident with our new arrangements.”
It comes after officials from the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust (EMAT) made the announcement on Thursday that they would also not re-open this week.
Officials said they want to review any updates to government advice before opening their doors to pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Six classes.
This affects pupils at six West Norfolk schools – Eastgate Academy in Lynn, Nelson Academy in Downham, and schools in Emneth, North Wootton, Southery and Upwell.
Meanwhile, Howard Junior School in Gaywood is one of the schools in the area that re-opened today, to Year Six pupils.
On Twitter, officials said their safety measures include temperature check stations, handwash stations, a maximum of six pupils in a ‘class bubble’, different start and leaving times, and different layouts on the premises.
