Coronavirus: Everything we know about school, college, and university closures in Sheffield

Schools, colleges, and universities in Sheffield continue to face disruption as fears grow over the coronavirus pandemic.
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A number of educational establishments have announced they are closing with some only open to certain year groups.

Here’s all the ones we know about so far.

Schools:

Ecclesfield School will partially close to Year 8, 9, and 10 students from Wednesday, March 18.Ecclesfield School will partially close to Year 8, 9, and 10 students from Wednesday, March 18.
Ecclesfield School will partially close to Year 8, 9, and 10 students from Wednesday, March 18.

- Totley All Saints C of E Primary School, closed it’s Year 1 classroom for a deep clean on Monday, March 16, after a pupil in the year displayed symptoms of the coronavirus. It remained open to other years.

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- Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School, on the outskirts of Sheffield, will remain ‘closed until further notice’ according to a statement posted on its website on Monday, March 16.

This is due to a shortage of staff as many are having to self-isolate and are unable to come to the school.

“This means that it will not be possible to function safely and securely as a school, nor provide the appropriate provision that is required,” the school said.

Face-to-face teaching has been suspended at Sheffield Hallam UniversityFace-to-face teaching has been suspended at Sheffield Hallam University
Face-to-face teaching has been suspended at Sheffield Hallam University

- Westfield School, in Beighton, announced it would be closed to all Year 8 and 9 students on Tuesday, March 17, following government advice yesterday.

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“Owing to update government advice regarding self-isolation issued yesterday, our staff levels have been severely impacted meaning that we have been forced to take the following action,” it said.

“School is closed today (March 17) to students in years 8 and 9.

The school remained open for pupils in Years 7, 10, and 11. A further update is expected today (March 17) to explain the reasoning behind the decision and outline plans for the rest of the week.

The Sheffield College is hoping to have all staff and students working remotely by Friday, March 20.The Sheffield College is hoping to have all staff and students working remotely by Friday, March 20.
The Sheffield College is hoping to have all staff and students working remotely by Friday, March 20.

- Ecclesfield School announced it would partially close to Year 8, 9, and 10 students from Wednesday, March 18.

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In a statement, it said: “It is with great regret and sadness that we have taken the decision to partially close the school until further notice. The school will remain open for years 7 and 11 only and will also continue to stay open for those students who have parents/carers in one of the emergency services sectors.”

The school said the decision was made following a government announcement regarding those who should self-isolate, noting there was a ‘significant number’ of staff who would not be able to continue teaching.

- Emmanuel Junior Academy, in Waterthorpe, and Pye Bank CE Primary School, in Burngreave, announced they would be cancelling assemblies and preparing activity packs for students in the case of national school closures.

- Wales High School, in Rotherham, said it has taken the ‘difficult decision’ to close to students in Years 7 and 8, from Wednesday, March 18.

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It said: “We are seeing ever increasing numbers of people who are required to self-isolate for 7-14 days, having been in contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19, and we are concerned about the welfare of our students due to staffing levels being reduced.

“As a consequence, we have taken the difficult decision to close the school to all students in Years 7 and 8 from tomorrow, Wednesday 18 March 2020, for the foreseeable future.”

- Meadowhead School and Sixth Form will be open normal hours for students in Years 7, 11, 12, and 13 only, as of Wednesday, March 18.

It will also be open for all children whose parents or carers work within the NHS, emergency services or are school staff, care workers, social care workers and those who are eligible for free school meals.

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The school said: “Due to the new guidance on self-isolation an increasing number of our staff are now not able to work in the school. For this reason, we are having to

make the difficult decision to open for certain groups only and operate as a ‘skeleton school’ to ensure that we are fulfilling our health and safety obligations.”

Colleges:

- The Sheffield College said it is supporting both students and staff to start studying and working from home as part of a phased plan for remote learning.

It said: “All students and the majority of staff will be expected to study and work remotely by Friday 20th March 2020.”

Universities:

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- The University of Sheffield initially closed 11 floors of the Arts Tower after an employee in the Sheffield School of Architecture was diagnosed with coronavirus, stating a deep clean would take place.

Later in an official update, the university confirmed the news saying it was aware of a ‘small number’ of unrelated suspected cases of the virus among students.

It suspended face-to-face lectures, seminars and tutorials from Monday, March 16, in a bid to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

All university-related international travel is postponed or cancelled with immediate effect and leaders are making plans to deliver teaching online.

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- Sheffield Hallam University announced that, as of Monday, March 16, it would be transitioning to remote working for all staff and would not be delivering face-to-face teaching following government advice on how to limit the spread of coronavirus.

All university-related international travel has been suspended, but buildings will remain open and students who need access to specialist facilities will be given it, according to a statement.

You can also follow our live blog here to find out how the Covid-19 virus is affecting the city: Coronavirus LIVE: latest developments as Sheffield Half Marathon cancelled

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