Schools shut gates as pupils get ready for more remote learning
Headteachers across the region have been left scrambling to set up remote work for pupils after a Government U-turn over school closures.
Boris Johnson had advised all primaries across the region to open this week, but has now ordered them to close to most youngsters as part of the latest national lockdown.
More than three quarters of primary schools in Wolverhampton had already decided to close classrooms and teach remotely, after council chiefs raised concerns over sky high coronavirus rates.
Other schools across the Black Country and Staffordshire are now putting remote learning schemes in place in a bid to ensure pupils do not miss out on their education.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said it was frustrating that the Government had been so late to make the decision.
He said: “Why they can’t be ahead of the game for once, instead of always seeming to be reactive, rather than proactive?
“It is an issue, but of course we need this national lockdown. Cases are way higher than the first one in March.”
Bilston C of E Primary School headteacher Gary Gentle said pupils returned to the school yesterday, but the decision had already been made to close to the majority of pupils from today prior to the PM’s announcement.
“This decision is based solely on the high rates of transmission in the city, and particularly within the Ettingshall ward, where the vast majority of our families live,” he said.
“Our children have been disappointed to hear of the school closure after only one day back in school with many commenting on how they were looking forward to returning to school after the Christmas period and getting back to learning in the classroom with their friends and teachers.
“We will ensure that our remote learning provision reaches all pupils who will be working from home.
"Those families with limited access to devices will be supported with laptops provided by the Government’s scheme to assist disadvantaged families and bridge the digital divide.”
Mr Gentle added that the school would remain open to children of key worker families and vulnerable children.
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “Now they’ve come out and said schools need to close, we’re going to have to look at how we can accommodate people who are having to make alternative arrangements as this has come out of the blue.
“We need to see whether we can support these people financially or whether we can reimburse them for any costs.”
