Sheffield schools deny claims they plan to resist reopening on June 1

Sheffield primary schools within Peak Edge Multi-Academy Trust have announced they are doing ‘their best’ to be ready to reopen their doors to reception, Year 1 and Year 6 students by June 1.

Bradfield Dungworth Primary School, Oughtibridge Primary School and Nook Lane Junior School have denied accusations that they intend to stay shut next month and defy the government’s lockdown easing plans on the basis social distancing could not be guaranteed.

The British Medical Association and teachers’ unions have challenged Boris Johnson’s proposals, arguing that the coronavirus infection rates are still too high for children to go back to school in June.

Headteacher at Oughtibridge and CEO of Peak Edge Multi-Academy Trust Jim Dugmore commented: “We are still working towards planning to open on 1st June.

"We are just working through guidance and trying to plan as much as we can so we have not decided not to reopen.

"We have spent four days doing the risk assessments and there's more work to be done so we are moving towards that as the date that we assume it will come.”

A representative for Bradfield Dungworth Primary School said: "We have not refused to open on June 1.

"We are trying to do risk assessments and put measures in place to ensure social distancing can be adhered to when schools do reopen.

"We have not refused to reopen and we are taking measures as needed.”

Kerry Wales Office Manager at Nook Lane Junior School commented: "As the trust we are doing our best to look at the guidance and the wider opening of schools and how we respond to it.

"We have been open anyway throughout this for key worker children.

"We are just trying to work through the guidance and we have no plans to refuse to re-open when we are told.”

Stannington Infant School, Loxley Primary School and Wharncliffe Side Primary School – who are also part of Peak Edge Multi-Academy Trust – were all approached for comment.