Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, Leeds to close for initial two week period following staffing shortages

Mrs K McNulty, headteacher of Hugh Gaitskell Primary School in Leeds told parents and carers the news on Sunday.

She said: "Due to staffing shortages, we will be disbanding all bubbles in all year groups.

"Please be assured that your children are, and always have been, at the heart of all we do here at Hugh Gaitskell.

"This will never change. From Monday 4th January, school will be closed for two weeks (in the first instance) to all year groups but WILL remain open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers."

Mrs McNulty added that she would keep parents and carers of students at the primary school in Beeston informed of all new developments as advised by the government in her letter open to the public on the school's website.

She also thanked each and every parent and carer for their "unwavering" support in keeping everyone safe.

The school joins Manor Wood Primary School and Gildersome Primary School in deciding not to open on Monday.

The closures come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he has "no doubt" that that schools are safe and parents should send primary-age children back to classrooms this week where schools remain open.

The full letter from Mrs McNulty said: " Dear Parents/Carers, I hope you have all enjoyed a safe and restful Christmas break. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year in the hope that 2021 will bring us a return to some normality. The Government's most recent advice was to keep all Primary Schools in England open despite the rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 infections and the rise in the death toll. I now have further information and advice to share with you. I am sure you have seen the news today and the debate about whether Primary Schools should open tomorrow. Due to staffing shortages, we will be disbanding all bubbles in all year groups. Please be assured that your children are, and always have been, at the heart of all we do here at Hugh Gaitskell. This will never change.

"From Monday 4th January, school will be closed for two weeks (in the first instance) to all year groups but WILL remain open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. Children of Critical Workers: If you are a critical worker (see list here) and have not been contacted by school today but require the school to support your child, please complete the Google Form below by 7pm tonight (Sunday 3rd January): https://forms.gle/M1FBsVgnjUSVuZbq8. A member of the HGPS Team will be in touch to confirm your child's place. Please note, communication may be from an unknown telephone number.

"Note that children attending on site will access the same remote learning as the children learning from home. However, as the aim of closing school buildings to children is to reduce transmission of Covid-19, if there is an adult at home who is able to provide childcare, it would be preferable for your child to join in remote learning from home rather than attend school in person. Vulnerable Children: If your child is considered to be in the vulnerable category, a member of the team will have already contacted you today to discuss the arrangements for your child. Remote Learning: All remote learning activities will be available on Google Classroom (Y1-Y6) and Tapestry (Nursery-Reception). Work on these online learning platforms will be reviewed and updated regularly. If your child is unable to access remote learning, please contact school so that alternative arrangements can be made. Our whole HGPS community must now work together to provide a united front in the battle to keep us all safe from the increasing infection rates generated by the new strain of Covid-19.

"During the Autumn term we only had to close two class bubbles- one for three days and one for seven days respectively. This was entirely due to the rigour of our Risk Assessment and the determination of school staff and parents to follow it to the letter. I will keep you informed of all new developments, as advised by the Government as soon as I am made aware. Thank you to each and every one of you - thank you for your unwavering support in keeping us all safe during these difficult times. Warmest regards, Mrs K McNulty Headteacher."