THERE is widespread confusion around plans to open primary schools to more pupils next week in Wirral.

On May 18, the local authority appeared to give schools the freedom to choose when to reopen.

A statement from Cllr Tom Usher, the cabinet member for children, families and education, read: "We fully appreciate this is a complex situation, which is why we believe that decisions of this nature should be made at a local level by people who know their communities and their children best."

Then earlier this week, the local authority said it was "aiming" to open primary schools to more pupils on June 8 and secondary schools to Year 10 and Year 12 pupils on June 15.

But that plan seems to have been a bridge too far for many of Wirral's primary schools.

In an email to headteachers seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Sue Talbot, Wirral Council's assistant director of children's services, said: "It has come to my attention that several schools are intending for pupils to return to school on June 15 NOT June 8.

"I am not sure how this has happened."

Ms Talbot said that based on regular talks between school leaders and the council: "The DfE [Department for Education] has been notified by the Director that subject to the Government's five conditions being met Wirral primary schools will be open to more pupils from June 8."

One frustrated resident got in touch with the LDRS, claiming this email made Cllr Usher's statement on decisions being made by those who know their children best "patently untrue", adding: "Is it any wonder why parents and teachers and most importantly our children are confused?"

However, Wirral Council said its position has not changed since May 18.

In her email, Ms Talbot did make it clear that schools will not be forced to open on June 8.

She said that where schools are not planning to reopen to more pupils on June 8 they must provide: "Evidence that the Government’s five conditions have not been met [and] information pertinent to your school that provides substantial evidence why you believe that you cannot open to more pupils on June 8."

The email continued: "The plans submitted so far do not provide this clarity. The DfE will be scrutinising the schools that are not opening to more pupils next week. You need to provide clear reasons to the Director.”

The five tests are:

  • Much lower cases of coronavirus among the population
  • A national plan for social distancing in schools
  • Tests available for staff and pupils
  • A whole-school strategy for safety
  • A plan to protect vulnerable teachers

Lib Dem councillor Chris Carubia, who is also chair of governors at Mendell Primary School in Eastham, said that at least four of the five primary schools in the area will not be opening to more pupils on Monday – including Mendell Primary.

He added that Mendell Primary will not open to more pupils on June 8 and it may not be ready to do so by June 15 or even later.

Cllr Carubia explained that the lack of classroom space was a big issue for his school and many others in the borough.

Only seven or eight pupils are able to be in one of Mendell Primary's classrooms at a time due to social distancing, and they must be accompanied by two teachers in case one child needs to leave the room to go to the toilet.

There is also not sufficient space at the school for all staff to attend, so the school is operating a rota system for when staff should and should not be present.

The Eastham councillor added: “It’s not a case of teachers not wanting to teach.

“Teachers and other teaching staff have been absolutely brilliant, every single one of them has been great and never refused to do stuff.

“They have all been cleaning the school. Teachers have been cleaning toilets, the unions would be up in arms about that normally. They have gone above and beyond.”

Cllr Carubia said he thinks the council is trying to “balance two chariots”, by trying to abide by the government’s aim to get schools back for economic reasons, rather than educational ones, while facing the reality on the ground with schools struggling to reopen and abide by social distancing rules.

Elsewhere in Wirral, Labour councillor Tony Norbury said Prenton Primary School, where he is a governor, will only be opening to more children of key workers next week.

He said it was his understanding that many schools in Birkenhead are taking a phased approach to opening their doors to more children, with the final phase in which all children return not set to happen until September.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The local authority is working closely with schools in the borough to help them open to as many pupils as possible as soon as they are able, in line with the Government’s guidelines.

“The safety of staff and pupils is paramount and schools will be helped to re-open at a pace that ensures staff and pupils receive the maximum protection while also ensuring they continue to provide the best possible education for their students both in the classroom where possible and online.

“The schools that aren’t open will be asked for their reasons by the DfE and we need to make sure they can answer them.”