CLASS HALF FULL
Government urges key workers to keep their kids at home if possible after school classes end up half full in lockdown
KEY workers have today been urged to keep their kids at home if possible after classes ended up half full despite the new lockdown.
All primary and secondary schools were closed this week - and will remain shut until at least mid-February under current lockdown rules - with only children of key workers allowed to attend.
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But parents have been accused of falsely claiming key worker status in a bid to send kids to class after the Department of Education widened the categories of vulnerable children who can still attend.
And reports surfaced this week of classrooms being half full despite the guidance for them to study from home where possible.
Fears of busy classrooms prompted the Department of Education to update its guidance last night to clarify that “children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required”.
But it adds that these “parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can”.
An accompanying DfE blog encouraged parents “to consider the spirit of lockdown when making the decision” to send kids to class.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School & College Leaders, told the Daily Mail: “We are hearing reports that attendance in some primary schools is in excess of 50 per cent because of demand from critical workers and families with children classed as vulnerable under criteria which has been significantly widened.
“We are urgently seeking clarification about the maximum number who should be in school.
“Half of all pupils at Willerby Carr Lane Primary School in the East Riding of Yorkshire are still attending lessons.
“Some 187 children turned up for class on Wednesday in ‘super-size’ bubbles ranging in size from 25 to 32 pupils.
“Invicta Primary School in Deptford, south-east London, has five times as many pupils still attending compared to the last lockdown.”
'SUPER SIZE BUBBLES'
Only one parent needs to be a key worker for a child to attend school, and those without access to the appropriate technology can also learn on-site, ministers confirmed in the Commons on Wednesday.
Health experts say that the closure of schools, despite the significant impact on children’s education and wellbeing, is vital to bring down the rate of infection.
The category of key worker has been expanded significantly since the first lockdown, and now even includes Brexit transition staff.
Earlier this week, The Sun reported how mums and dads had inundated Our Lady’s Bishop Eton School in Liverpool with complaints after spotting kids allegedly from families with no key workers at school during a video lesson.
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The school also said it had been "overwhelmed" with applications for on-site learning throughout the lockdown, which saw learning moved online for everyone apart from children of key workers and vulnerable kids.
Our Lady’s Bishop Eton School told the Liverpool Echo that they had verified key worker status by consulting with local authorities and asking a rigorous set of questions on application forms.
A letter to students' families said: "We can do no more," adding the situation was further complicated by parents who made the initial complaints refusing to elaborate and provide further details.
It comes as Boris Johnson refused to guarantee that all kids will be back in school before the summer holidays.
In a startling move, the PM only said he “hopes” schools will reopen in the spring once the Covid vaccination programme is well under way.
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Speaking at a press conference Tuesday he said: "On whether we can be absolutely sure schools can reopen - we think that with the vaccination programme we can do a huge amount to take the most vulnerable out of the path of this virus.
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“That offers opportunities to do things differently.”
The PM said he is full of “optimism and fundamental hope” that he can start to lift the brutal lockdown by the spring.
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Schools rebel on 'key' rule
By Kate Ferguson
SOME key workers’ children will be denied a school place because of a surge in demand, headteachers warn.
They will miss out as schools defy the Government by rationing classroom spots.
The controversial move will fuel fears families face a postcode lottery for schooling.
Ministers insist all parents working in Covid-critical jobs must be able to send their children to class.
But heads say the definition of a key worker is so big that rocketing numbers of pupils want a place.
One London school stated: “It is unlikely that we will be able to offer provision to all those who request it.”
The Department for Education said: “We expect schools to work with families to en- sure all critical worker children get access if required.”
Schools to close with Leaving Cert students allowed to attend 3 days a week, Cabinet agrees
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