Parents protest after Horsham schools’ reopening to more pupils is postponed

Kingslea Primary School and Heron Way Primary School were planning to reopen to all year groups in addition to provision for reception, year one and year six pupils from Monday.

But in a letter to parents yesterday, June 25, the schools said it was with deep regret they were ‘forced to postpone’ the reopening after West Sussex County Council said it would not support the move.

James Crump, headteacher of Heron Way, and Alexis Conway, headteacher of Kingslea, told the County Times staff, governors and parents/carers at the schools have worked ‘tirelessly’ to make provision for their children over the last three months.

In a joint statement they added: “Excellent communications, daily teaching videos and high quality pastoral care have mitigated the risks to the children’s general well-being and education.

“Wellbeing is the school’s top priority and there has been unwavering support from the whole school community for the plans that both schools had in place to open the school to year two to year five from Monday June 29.

“Unfortunately, the interpretation of Department for Education guidance over the last few months has been a challenge for both schools and county councils.

“Our opening to year two to year five has been postponed for the time being.”

West Sussex County Council said it has been supporting all schools in the county to follow government guidance and prioritise provision for children in reception, year one and year six as well as continue to give places to children who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and those of key workers.

A spokesman added: “The latest national guidance is clear that this should be on a full-time basis for these core groups, and that only if schools then have additional capacity they can accommodate pupils from other year groups, if their own risk assessment shows this can be safely managed.

“We have made this clear to all schools, including Kingslea and Heron Way, and it is unfortunate that there had been some misinterpretation of the government’s guidance on inviting all pupils to return on a part-time basis, something the council is not able to support.

“Everyone involved in education in West Sussex shares the same aim, to get children back to school as soon as the national health advice shows it can be done safely.”

Following the announcement parents staged a socially distanced demonstration outside the West Sussex County Council offices in Horsham today, June 26.

Kristy Bovington, a parent of pupils in year two and five said she was appalled at the council’s decision.

She added: “The school have been utterly incredible throughout the pandemic and I have absolutely no concern about their processes or the health of my children being compromised.

“What will definitely compromise it is this decision to stop them going back for six days to reconnect with teachers and friends.”

Sarah O’Neill said she accepted the council was in an ‘incredibly difficult’ situation.

But she added: “Horsham schools have worked so hard to allow their students to return to the classroom. The council should be supporting them to do so for the benefit of all the children at Heron Way and Kingslea.”

Parents have launched a petition which has been signed by more than 400 people in less than a day.