Council issues advice to parents on schools in Peterborough following lockdown announcement

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a further England-wide lockdown which comes into effect from today (January 5), the city council said in a statement that it is supporting the closure of schools across Peterborough.

The statement said: “This will allow head teachers and their staff time to prepare to reopen from Wednesday (January 6) for vulnerable children and children of key workers only and be in a position to roll out home learning options for others, as we await updated guidance how these groups will work and the expectations for their education.

“We expect to receive this advice from Government in the morning.

“These schools are contacting parents to update them on the current position but parents are also asked to check on the schools own website for details. “Peterborough City Council will be assisting them, particularly around making sure those pupils who receive free school meals or are in need of help to access home learning can be supported.

“A number of schools may open if they have the capacity and staffing to do so.

“Secondary schools which were not scheduled to re-open for face to face learning for all until w/c Jan 18 are not currently open, and will also be in touch with parents and pupils in the coming days about future plans.

“Early years provision will be open as normal pending further guidance.

Jonathan Lewis, Director of Education for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Counciladded: “Head teachers and their staff across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough continue to offer a magnificent response in the face of this ongoing pandemic - as have parents, many of whom will again be asked to support their children learning from home.

“It is the priority of us all to make sure every child in the county can continue to be educated safely until such time as they can all return to the classroom.”

For a full definition of the groups who are eligible to be taught in schools see:

‘Critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings - GOV.UK www.gov.uk’