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Schools may be forced to stay open as the government threatens to use legal powers against a council that advised principals to close early for Christmas.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson threatens to use legal powers against the Greenwich council after he advised his schools to close tonight.
Islington recommended that schools close starting tomorrow, except for key workers and vulnerable children.
Williamson is demanding that the boards withdraw their letters to principals, who requested that schools switch to remote learning starting tonight due to rising coronavirus rates in the district.
Tonight he issued an address of temporary continuity to the Royal Borough of Greenwich, following the letter sent yesterday by the city council to the directors.
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This is a provision drafted to provide legal certainty for schools as part of the fast-paced Coronavirus Law 2020.
Williamson said: “It is simply not in the best interests of the children if the schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere are closed.
“Schools and universities across the country at all levels have shown incredible resilience in the face of this pandemic, and it is thanks to the hard work of teachers and staff that millions of children and youth have benefited from one face to the other. to education and to be with his friends.
“It has always been clear to me that using the legal powers is a last resort, but continuing education is a national priority.
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“That is why I will not hesitate to do what is right for young people and I have issued an order to the Greenwich Council that they must withdraw the letter sent to the directors on Sunday.”
“The Regional Schools Commissioner will continue to work closely with the Greenwich Council and township schools, as we have with schools across the country, to support them with any operational challenges they face and ensure that children can continue to receive face-to-face education. “
If the council does not comply with the order, then the Coronavirus Act allows the government to enforce it, asking the Superior Court or county court for an injunction, such as a court order that requires the council to comply.
The Greenwich Council said they are seeking legal advice and will respond to the Government tomorrow morning.
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Schools were supposed to close for Christmas at the end of the week anyway.
Royal Borough of Greenwich leader Cllr Danny Thorpe said: “Yesterday we asked all Royal Borough of Greenwich schools to move to online learning for the majority of students, but to keep the facilities open for the children of the key workers, vulnerable children and those with special educational needs.
“Other districts have asked schools to take similar action, and the Mayor of London has also called for all secondary schools to close, with an additional free week in January to allow for testing.”
“Our request was based on information from Public Health England and was supported by the Council’s Public Health team.
“At the Royal Borough of Greenwich, we currently have the highest Covid-19 rates since March, with numbers doubling every four days.
“Our seven-day infection rate for the municipality is now 59% higher than at the same point last week.
“Infection rates are particularly high among young people, with 817 school-age children testing positive for Covid-19.
“4,262 children and 362 staff members are self-isolating, an increase of 640 people since Friday.
“In many cases, other members of the child’s household also tested positive, affecting entire families.
“Schools across the municipality have now organized online learning starting tomorrow, while others are opening their facilities to all students.”
Mr. Thorpe explained that the Government only notified his council today at 5pm.
“Tonight we received a legal order from the Government to withdraw our application to the schools,” he said.
“We are in the process of seeking legal advice and will respond to the government in the morning.”
“We have alerted the schools and we will talk to them tomorrow.
But since we received this notification just before 5 pm, it was impossible to ask the schools to change their arrangements for Tuesday. “
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