Derbyshire primary school to close as staff absences increase

The headteacher of Holmgate Primary School and Nursery sent a letter out to parents and carers today (November 2) announcing that the school will be closed from tomorrow.

This follows a letter sent on October 28 which informed recipients of two staff members who tested positive for Covid-19 and are self-isolating.

Tim Priestly wrote: “It is with regret that I have to inform you that I have taken the decision to close the school to all pupils with effect from tomorrow.

"As you know, we have a number of staff not in school at the moment, including the site manager.

"I have tried to get a replacement site manager without success and this means I cannot reasonably guarantee the safety of all people on site.

"I am also reluctant to have supply staff in school as there is the possibility that they will have been working in another school with high infection rates.”

The letter also said that as Mr Priestly did not know how long staff would be absent for, there could be no guarantee that the school would reopen on November 9.

He said that situation would be reviewed on Thursday this week and parents would be updated.

Mr Priestly added: “We will still aim to provide lunches to children entitled to free school meals.

"Teachers will set online learning for the pupils in a similar way to the lockdown.”

Families of children entitled to free school meals can arrange for them by contacting the school’s email.

Mr Priestly added: “In the meantime, please collect your child as normal at the end of the day. I understand that this will cause some of you a significant degree of inconvenience but I feel I am left with no other option at this point.”

This comes as pupil absences across the country are on the rise.

In the week up to October 22, 20 per cent of primary schools across the country, excluding those on half-term, said they had one or more pupils self-isolating due to potential contact with a Covid-19 case at school, compared with 21 per cent the week before.