Horsham MP has ‘great sympathy’ for schools which want to reopen to all pupils

Jeremy Quin MP said he contacted the Department for Education on behalf of Kingslea and Heron Way Primary Schools after West Sussex County Council said it would not support them reopening to all year groups.

But he added that the DfE has said reception, year one and year six students along with vulnerable and key worker children must be in full time education before provision can be made for other year groups.

Mr Quin said: “I appreciate [both schools] were actively trying to extend the classroom experience to more pupils.

“The Department’s policy is based on educational and scientific advice about how best to target resources safely as we emerge from the pandemic.

“I have great sympathy with the schools who were acting with the best of intentions and have achieved a huge amount during lockdown and in getting eligible pupils back into school already – but the focus is required to be on extending and maintaining that before bringing other year groups back into school.”