The local MPs blame “significant concerns from Unions”.
Three Nottinghamshire MPs have said they are hugely disappointed to discover a huge number of Primary Schools are opting not to reopen following government recommendations.
A letter send to parents by the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham Multi Academy Trust said; “Before extending any provision and taking in more children, headteachers and senior leaders need time to ensure that the government’s new guidance (published on Sunday, 24th May) can be implemented.
“This guidance is impacting on risk assessments that we are currently undertaking.
“We must protect the groups of children and staff that either currently exist, or will be created as we move forward. This will mean that we move cautiously and steadily.
“Vulnerable children and children of critical workers who have already been accessing the academy will continue to do so from 1st June.”
Nottinghamshire Conservative MPs; Ben Bradley for Mansfield, Brendan Clarke-Smith for Bassetlaw and Lee Anderson for Ashfield responded with a joint statement.
It read; “Today we have been informed that the Nottinghamshire Diocese has advised its schools not to open from the 1st of June, which is tomorrow. We are hugely disappointed at this decision and particularly the last minute nature of it, when many of these schools were ready to go. They are now having to contact parents at the last minute to inform them their kids can’t come tomorrow.”
“The letter going out from the Diocese blames “significant concerns from Unions”, which is even more frustrating. These same Unions have been trying to put a stop to schools opening for weeks, so it seems very poor to only be making this decision to block schools from opening on the weekend before they are due back. They only informed schools late on Friday, ahead of Monday opening, and some parents are only being contacted with less than 24 hours notice!! We feel that this has been very poorly handled and will leave many parents and children feeling understandably upset.
“So many of the County’s children were excited to go back to school and see friends, but will now be left disappointed, and many parents will be desperately trying to find childcare at very short notice.
