Over 100 Norfolk school's closed following rising Covid-19 cases

Primary Schools in Norfolk struggle to open due to staff shortages.

Norfolk County Council
Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 4th Jan 2021

Over 100 Primary School's in Norfolk are staying closed today with many blaming staff shortages and uncertainties.

Many Primary Schools across England were expected to open today, despite pressure from unions who've been calling for the start of term to be delayed due to rising Coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that classrooms are "very safe" and the risk of developing serious Covid-19 symptoms was "small".

Many of those who've had to remain closed for the first day of term in Norfolk have said decisions have been made due to school's being unable to guarantee pupil's safety due to staff shortages, and uncertainty around staffing.

The County Council says children of key workers and vulnerable children should still be able to attend though - they should expect to be invited as soon as possible.

The authority added it will back the decision of any school leader in the county who decides not to open, with Headteachers and their governing body/trusts in charge of making the call.

Children will still be given some remote learning if they are at home.

It's encouraging parents and carers to watch out for communications from their child's schools, and warned it may take a day or two for school's to decide if they have enough staff to open.

Older children aren't due to go back to secondary school's until later this month, with exam age year due to return on the 11th January, followed by all other pupils on the 18th.

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