Almost all of Peterborough’s primary schools have been able to expand their intake of pupils says education chief

Director of Education Jonathan Lewis told city council cabinet members that 93% had expanded their intake of pupils comapred with a national average of 70%.
While definitive guidelines are still awaited from the government and the Department of Education (DfE), a report published Monday outlines the immediate plans.
Mr Lewis told the cabinet members at their online meeting this week: “As you know, schools across Peterborough had been planning re-opening for some time and on the June 1, primary schools including infant and junior schools were allowed to take in further children from early years, reception, year 1 and year 6 in this order up to their capacity.

“Guidance from the DfE only allowed class sizes up to 15 as it was acknowledged that social distancing is challenging for younger children.

“All of our schools undertook risk assessments which included a consideration of space and staffing availability but it was made abundantly clear that education is optional for parents and there would be no action for non-attendance.

“As of June 8, 93% of Peterborough’s primary schools have expanded their intake beyond just critical workers and vulnerable children with the national average 70% and this outcome is a great credit to the leaders in our schools for their hard work.

“By June 11 nearly 4000 pupils were attending and the government has since announced that their original plans to take in all primary children before the end of term will now be delayed until the autumn.

“Early Years settings also opened on June 1, and we’ve seen a huge increase in uptake with 1,842 children attending so that by June 11, it was up by nearly 1,500 since May.

“Our Special schools continue to increase numbers and are undertaking individual pupil assessments to grow numbers gradually.

“Secondary schools have been planning re-opening for June 15 for Year 10 and Year 12, although numbers are limited by government guidance which allows only a quarter of children to attend. Most schools are now offering a one-day-a-week basis to allow time for individual support and some core subject teaching.

“Across all of our schools, we continue to provide home learning for pupils although this is now more challenging to deliver due to staff being in school delivering lessons.

“We expect further guidance from the DfE shortly on catch up proposals for pupils and expectations for a September 2020 re-opening are high.

“Throughout, Peterborough City Council Education teams have worked closely with Public Health England to ensure that all of our schools only open when it is safe for them to do so and so protect both the pupils and the staff who work there.”