Sheffield MP Miriam Cates urges council to reconsider decision to keep schools closed

Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, expressed her 'disappointment' and concern that the council advised schools to ignore government guidelines and not allow more pupils to return until at least June 15.

She said: "The risks to our children of not being in school are serious and growing by the day.

"As a mum and a former teacher, I know our children are suffering in many ways as a result of the lockdown and there is strong evidence to suggest gaps in education widen the attainment gap for disadvantaged children. The impacts of lost education and this lack of social interaction may have long-term consequences for our children’s life chances - including their health - and we must do everything we can to get children back to school and avoid a disadvantaged ‘COVID Generation’.

"Many parents will be expecting to return to work on Monday and now have only two days to notify their employer that they may no longer be able to attend. I have no doubt this will put additional financial pressure on families who are already struggling.

"Throughout the pandemic I’ve been in touch with headteachers across Penistone and Stocksbridge and I know how incredibly hard they have worked to put plans in place to re-open schools from Monday, following the detailed Government guidelines around how to keep children and staff safe. For teachers on the Sheffield side of my constituency, this announcement means their plans must be delayed, whilst Barnsley schools can return from Monday, putting their plans into action."

It comes after Greg Fell, director for public health, said that he does not feel assured that the recently announced 'Test and Trace' programme will be sufficiently well established and robust enough to be in place for June 1.

He therefore advised the Test and Trace system should be in place and working effectively for 14 days before schools and nurseries begin increasing their numbers.

This went against the government's guidelines which asked schools and nurseries to start bringing more children back from Monday.

Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, has also spoken out about the decision but said she 'fully supports' the move.

She said on Twitter: "I fully support Sheffield City Council's decision to delay the wider reopening of schools until there is a proper test-and-trace system in place. Public health, and the safety of staff and students, must be our priority."