Suffolk schools choosing to stay shut get backing of council
Suffolk County Council says it'll support the decisions of local Headteachers.
Most Primary Schools in England are due to reopen again on Monday 4th January following the Christmas break, 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".
Suffolk County Council says the rate of infection in the county has increased over the festive break which may mean some schools don't have enough staff available to open safely.
The authority says the decision to remain shut lies with the Headteacher, and that they will support any school leader who makes a decision not to open for the majority of pupils.
Parents and carers are encouraged to check their child's school communications to see if their school is open or closed.
The County Council added that even if a school is closed, children of critical workers and vulnerable children will still be invited to attend as soon as possible.
Every school must be open in some capacity for those children.
The Council says it's expecting it to take a day or two for schools to know if they have enough staff to reopen to all children safely.
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.