Published Tuesday 19 May 2020 at 11:06
Plans for schools in the borough to extend their opening are being planned for June 8, 2020 to ensure a safe return.
It is proposed that children and young people transitioning from reception, primary to high school; high school to further education and those with special educational needs will be the first groups to return next month.
Following the Government announcement, the Council has been working intensively with schools and partners.
Most schools across Lancashire have remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic for vulnerable children and pupils with keyworker parents.
Jayne Ivory, Director of Children’s Services, said:
Our position is that schools should only re-open to other pupils when it is safe to do so.
We are adopting a cautious approach to the extended opening of schools, based on regular review of the emerging evidence and guidance.
The layout of every school is different and they all have different challenges, especially when considering social distancing measures and hygiene which is why individual schools may have different approaches. Decisions remain with individual school head teachers and governors regarding their own approach.
Due to a number of complex factors, including have a high BAME population and high levels of deprivation, our schools need more time to put plans in place that ensures the safety of both our children and our staff.
The earliest date we therefore, feel able to prepare for extended opening of schools in Blackburn with Darwen is June 8.
Cllr Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:
As a borough we are supportive of proposals to extend opening of schools as soon as it is safe to do so. Moving the date to June 8 th is about making sure we get it right.
Officers and senior leaders are working with head teachers, public health experts and partners to ensure the safety and health of our pupils and staff comes first when considering the further opening of schools.
My sincere thanks go to all of our staff who are working tirelessly, remaining open during holidays and Bank holidays to keep our schools and nurseries open so that our vulnerable learners and children of key workers have a safe place to learn from. Their dedication has made a huge difference to the lives of many families.
Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, added:
We have a good understanding of the communities we serve and the issues that affect them and we will prioritise these in line with our judgements of the best international evidence on this issue. I do not support a return on 1 st June as the evidence is not yet clear.
I support the recent BMA statement on this issue which also takes the precautionary approach to setting an opening date of 1 st June.