Schools trust backs down over plans to partially re-open Sheffield school this week

Astrea Academy Trust planned to re-open Byron Wood Academy at Burngreave this week.

But after union opposition, the trust has agreed to put the re-opening back two weeks.

It said in a statement: “The safety of our pupils and staff will always be our number one priority. Comprehensive risk assessments of every Astrea school and for every member of staff had been completed and we made clear to our colleagues that only those who are happy to come into school should do so.

“These are undoubtedly very challenging times and schools across the country are facing difficult decisions. We also know, however, that a lot of children need our support and we were keen to have them back in school – both on educational and safeguarding grounds. For these reasons, we had already announced plans for six of our primaries to open more widely for eligible year groups from the middle of this week.

“Today, we have decided to review the decision for Astrea schools in Doncaster and Sheffield in light of the information received from Directors of Public Health and we will now consider opening these schools more widely from 15 June.”

They remain open for key workers children an vulnerable youngsters

The National Education Union had raised concerns.

Sheffield district and branch joint secretary, Simon Murch, said last week: “The health and welfare of pupils, staff and their families must be the primary concern, not an arbitrary date.

“The fact effective track and trace is not in place, as the Independent SAGE Committee has said needs to be in place before wider opening of schools.

“In Sheffield, the current R rate is approaching 1.0 and the council’s expert, director of public health Greg Fell, has said it is not safe for a wider reopening of schools from 1st June.

“Therefore we cannot understand why Astrea Academy Trust are willing to put lives of their staff and pupils at immediate risk, particularly without the appropriate consultation of the risk assessment and having the adequate insurance policy in place.