A plea to defer primary school openings has been refused by the Government.
Cumbria County Council wrote to the Department for Education to allow schools to close for face-to-face learning for the majority of pupils – except those who are vulnerable or are the children of critical workers.
However, the Government refused.
Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “Sadly the situation in Cumbria continues to get worse and we are seeing significant increases in the number of people infected with COVID.
“We feel strongly that more needs to be done to help protect residents and our communities and we are deeply concerned about the likelihood of further significant transmission as a result of schools reopening from Monday January 4.
A post from St Paul’s Junior School in Seaton, near Workington, published tonight, said: “Sincere apologies for the late update.
“Although the Department for Education have declined to delay the opening of Cumbrian primary schools, there are still issues around us opening school to children tomorrow.
“In line with Cumbria County Council advice, we will be taking an emergency inset day.
“This will give us the opportunity to plan fully and correctly for the coming days.”
Victoria Infant School in Workington said in a post: “Due to the current concerning rise in infection and national debate about opening schools, it was felt only fair, to delay opening Victoria school until Wednesday 6th.
- Bishop Harvey Goodwin School, The
(CARLISLE)
CLOSEDÂ 09:00 on 04 January 2021,
RE-OPENSÂ 09:00 on 05 January 2021.
School will be closed for an Emergency Inset Day - Dane Ghyll Community Primary School
(BARROW-IN-FURNESS)
CLOSEDÂ 08:00 on 14 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 08:41 on 05 January 2021. - Great Corby Primary School
(CARLISLE)
CLOSEDÂ 08:00 on 11 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 08:00 on 05 January 2021.
Staff shortages due to Covid-19 - Irthington Village School
(CARLISLE)
CLOSEDÂ 14:00 on 19 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 08:40 on 05 January 2021. - Levens CofE School
(KENDAL)
CLOSEDÂ 30 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 08:30 on 05 January 2021. - Lowther Endowed School
(PENRITH)
CLOSEDÂ 31 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 11 January 2021.
Closed due to staff shortage. - Moresby Primary School
(WHITEHAVEN)
CLOSEDÂ 03 January 2021,
REOPENS 05 January 2021.
School will be closed on Monday 4th January due to an issue with heating system. - Norman Street Primary School
(CARLISLE)
CLOSEDÂ 04 January 2021,
RE-OPENSÂ 05 January 2021. - Petteril Bank School
(CARLISLE)
CLOSEDÂ 03 January 2021,
RE-OPENSÂ 08:45 on 05 January 2021.
Due to INSET day closure for Coronavirus partial closure planning Closed until Tuesday 5th January, where it will only be open to children of critical workers and those classed as vulnerable. - Thomlinson Junior School
(WIGTON)
CLOSEDÂ 04 January 2021,
REOPENS 05 January 2021. - Victoria Infant and Nursery School – Workington
(WORKINGTON)
CLOSEDÂ 15:00 on 03 January 2021,
RE-OPENSÂ 06 January 2021.
Due to staffing levels - Victoria Junior School – Workington
(WORKINGTON)
CLOSEDÂ 18 December 2020,
RE-OPENSÂ 04 January 2021. - Yanwath Primary School
(PENRITH)
CLOSEDÂ 03 January 2021,
RE-OPENSÂ 23:59 on 04 January 2021.
The school is closed for an emergency INSET Day due to Covid 19