School announces it will not reopen this term due to safety fears

'It is clear that the risk and potential harms far outweigh the benefits of reopening'

A Bristol school has ruled out reopening before the summer holidays due to the risk of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has encouraged schools to begin a phased reopening from Monday (June 1), starting with children in nursery, reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

However, it is up to school leaders to decide if and when it is safe to do so, in their individual circumstances.

Andalusia Academy in St Philips, which is Bristol's only Islamic faith school, has told parents that it will not be reopening this term due to the potential risks.

In a letter sent circulated on Tuesday, acting headteacher Yusuf Torofdar said the June 1 guidance from the government was "not an instruction or command".

He said one of the school's considerations was the concern that people from BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) backgrounds are more vulnerable to the virus.

Dr Torofdar wrote: "The trustees, governors and management at our school have held a number of meetings with the local authority, school operations team and have also considered the guidance from the various teaching unions.

"After having assessed the various factors involved in reopening, we have decided NOT to open Andalusia Academy during term 6.

"From our assessment, it is clear that the risk and potential harms far outweighs the benefits of reopening our school."

The 180-pupil private school teaches children aged four-16, but its secondary provision has been girls-only since 2017.

Term 6 starts on Monday and is the final term of the academic year, before the summer holidays start towards the end of July.

In his letter, Dr Torofdar continued: "Our decision has been based on a number of factors including the risk of protecting teaching staff, protecting our children, preparation of the school site and the fact that BAME communities are at a higher risk of COVID-19.

"We will continue with online teaching from term 6 and will be adding extra resources and support for students to ensure a more conducive learning environment for our pupils."

The decision comes after unions and scientists from the Independent Sage group raised doubts about the safety of schools reopening.

However, many headteachers have written to parents reassuring them of the precautions in place to protect staff and pupils.

As well as the gradual reopening of primary provision from next week, the government has encouraged secondary schools to provide at least some face-to-face support for pupils in Year 10 and 12, from June 15 and beyond.

Ashton Park secondary school in Bristol said it will contact parents after half term to confirm plans for those years, and said safety will be the priority.

In a joint letter to parents dated May 22, the headteacher and chair of governors wrote: "We believe it is better to start slowly and with caution than to promise provision that we are then unable to deliver.

"In the same way that many of you will be anxious and possibly even fearful about schools re-opening, understandably some of our staff feel the same way.

"We need to maintain their confidence, as well as yours, as we start to return to school-based learning."

The government guidance clearly states that parents will not be fined if they choose not to send their children back.