THE council has advised schools not to reopen on Monday, saying it is not yet safe to do so.

Brighton and Hove City Council's decision goes against PM Boris Johnson's plans to open primary schools on June 1.

The authority said the Government’s test and trace programme has not given it enough confidence and said schools and council nurseries in the city should not yet open more widely for pupils.

The Prime Minister confirmed on Thursday that children in nursery, reception and Years 1 and 6 will be able to return to the classroom on June 1, after most pupils were sent home amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The Argus: PM Boris Johnson at the Government's daily coronavirus briefing yesterday. Photo: PAPM Boris Johnson at the Government's daily coronavirus briefing yesterday. Photo: PA

The decision on opening still rests in the hands of each school’s headteacher.

Earlier this month Brighton and Hove City Council gave the Government’ plans the cold shoulder, and was among the first in the country to say schools should only reopen when it is safe.

>> READ MORE: No schools expected to open in Brighton on Monday

The chair of the council's children, young people and skills committee, Councillor John Allcock, has just issued this statement: "Our city’s schools and early years providers continue to do a magnificent job opening for the children of key workers and vulnerable children and we thank them for their hard work during a prolonged challenging time. 

The Argus:

"Our advice continues to be that schools and council nurseries should only reopen to more children when it’s safe to do so, following risk assessments and detailed planning so that we can make sure they are as safe as possible for children, school staff and the wider community. 

"We are acting on advice from our public health colleagues and there are reasonable concerns that the government’s five key tests have not all been met locally.

"In particular we are not confident that the test around effective testing and tracing is currently met given the very recent introduction of the government’s Test and Trace programme, especially in a city with a high visitor footfall such as ours.

"Therefore our current advice to Brighton and Hove schools and council nurseries is that they should not open more widely for pupils on 1 June. 

"While education is hugely important for our children, the council’s position has always been that the safety and welfare of our children, school staff and wider community has to be our paramount consideration.

"The decision on whether to open an individual school lies with the head teacher, in consultation with the chair of governors, but we would encourage schools to follow our advice. 

"This advice will be kept under constant review by the council as we are keen for schools to reopen to more children - but only when it is safe to do so."

Schools will remain open to vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund