Hampshire headteachers reverse decision for online attendance for last week of term after Local Authority intervention

After recently having to send all Year 11 pupils home to isolate following two positive Covid cases Swanmore College headteacher, Kyle Jonathan, gave pupils and parents the option of learning via live online lessons during the last week of term due to fears any further cases could result in whole families having to isolate over the festive period.

While the school was to remain open to all pupils who wished to attend in person, in a letter to parents, Mr Jonathan said: ‘I am increasingly concerned about the potential for Christmas to be ruined for you and your families if your child has to self-isolate.

‘We hope that by putting these arrangements in place we can reduce the number of pupils onsite and reduce the risk of spreading the virus just before the Christmas break.’

However it now appears that intervention from Hampshire County Council and the Department for Education has forced Mr Jonathan to backtrack on this decision.

In subsequent letter sent to parents yesterday (December 8) Mr Jonathan said: ‘I have been instructed by the Department of Education (DfE) and the Local Authority, that we are unable to offer you the choice to keep your child at home next week. This means that we will expect all pupils to attend Swanmore College for the last week of term, as long as they are well and not self-isolating.’

After hearing of the college’s plan last week Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, Cllr Roz Chadd had commented: ‘The Department for Education has made it clear to all schools, and other education settings in England, that they must remain open right up until the last day of term.

‘They have issued guidance to that effect which the county council is following. We would strongly advise all schools to do the same.’

SEE ALSO: Exam changes welcomed by Hampshire headteachers but concerns remain over ‘level playing field’ for pupils

It’s a similar situation for Purbrook Park School in Waterlooville whose headteacher Paul Foxley had also written to parents giving the option of online attendance for the last week of term. Last week he also had to send Year 11 pupils home due to Covid isolation regulations.

Mr Foxley said: ‘I have learned today that as a result of government guidelines, as set out by the Department for Education, we are unable to offer you the choice to keep your child at home next week.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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