Sheffield Council warns schools 'DON’T reopen on June 1' and advises new reopening date

In a statement, Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for education and skills, said the Labour-led council has taken time to consider its position on the issue, but still did not feel “confident” on their position against the Government’s five tests outlined on the 19 April.

Having satisfied its five tests to be able to ‘safely’ lift the lockdown restrictions, the Government intends to begin gradually reopening schools starting with reception, Year 1 and 6 from Monday.

Cllr Mohamed said: “We have been advised by the Sheffield director of Public Health, Greg Fell who has reviewed the local position and he does not feel assured that the recently announced ‘Test and Trace’ programme will be sufficiently well established and robust enough to be in place for 1 June.

“He has advised that the Test and Trace system should be in place and working effectively for 14 days before schools and nurseries begin increasing their numbers.”

The Council are therefore “instructing” authority-run schools to delay their wider opening until 15 June and “strongly advising” all other schools, academies, and nurseries in Sheffield to do the same.

The statement continued: “We are acutely aware many schools may have already put systems in place for increasing numbers of children prior to this date. However, our priority must always be ensuring the safety of our staff and the children is not compromised when the numbers are increased.

“All settings will continue to remain open for children of key workers and vulnerable children as they have been since the start of the national lock down.”

The Sheffield District of the National Education Union – a trade union for school teachers – said it “welcomes” the council’s decision to delay increasing pupil numbers.

Simon Murch, joint district secretary said: "The Government's reckless approach and last minute decision making should not be mirrored on a local level.

“We trust and hope that in future Sheffield City Council make a proper and timely assessment of national advice and whether it is appropriate or safe for Sheffield to follow it without question."