Schools in Bolton remain open only to vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers. All other pupils are asked to learn remotely from home in order to protect them, their families and school staff. But demand for places during this national lockdown is said to be much higher than the first lockdown in March. Now education bosses have stepped forward after schools throughout Bolton reported a high volume of requests from families asking for children to be allowed to attend school. Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said: “All schools in Bolton are providing education to all of their students, with many being taught remotely while the buildings are open for many vulnerable children and children of critical workers.
Covid-19: Lockdown pupil increase blamed on lack of clarity
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image captionChris Dyson, head teacher at Parklands Primary, said more parents are sending their children to school
A head teacher has blamed a lack of clarity over key worker rules for a jump in the number of pupils attending.
Parklands Primary School in Leeds had 12 pupils in school during the first lockdown, but this time has 78.
Chris Dyson said the Department for Education s (DfE) widened critical worker criteria was encouraging parents to take the easier option .
It said all critical worker children should have access to a place if needed.
The Catholic Church has joined the debate over the future of this year s transfer test for primary 7 pupils and said business interests should not come before the interests of children.
The Catholic Church has joined the debate over the future of this year s transfer test for primary 7 pupils and said business interests should not come before the interests of children.
Schools are ignoring government guidelines and refusing to allow children into class unless BOTH parents are key workers, MailOnline has learned.
Department for Education guidance states that only one parent needs to be a critical worker for their child to attend class – even if both parents are working from home.
It adds parents who are key or critical workers should keep their children at home if they can .
Schools are ignoring government guidelines and refusing to allow children into class unless BOTH parents are key workers
But head teachers in many areas say increasing pressure on spaces has meant they now have to ‘ration’ places, and many have chosen to prioritise families where both parents are classed as key workers.