Coronavirus: Brighton schools chief explains decision

Brighton and Hove City Council schools boss Councillor John Allcock told schools in the city to ignore Government guidelines to open to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils on Monday.

Schools have only been teaching children of key workers since lockdown began in March.

The decision to reopen schools to more pupils ultimately lies with headteachers.

Windlesham School in Dyke Road was the only primary in Brighton to do so this week.

But the move was criticised by the Conservatives after Cllr Allcock told the party “no additional scientific advice” was taken by the council when it made the decision.

The comment prompted Conservative health spokesman Councillor Samer Bagaeen to claim the council’s approach was not based on “sound science”.

“With many private schools operating and functioning, it is the children in the 65 schools in the state sector that are being denied education,” he said.

Conservative health spokesman Councillor Samer Bagaeen claimed the city council's approach to schools 'is not based on sound science

But Cllr Allcock argued the decision was in line with Government guidance because council health officials believed the city did not meet the “five tests” outlined by the Government.

These tests stipulate lockdown restrictions should only be loosened if:

• Local health services can cope with the number of coronavirus patients
• There is a “sustained and consistent” drop in the daily death rate
• The rate of infection is decreasing to “manageable levels”
• Test and protective equipment supplies can meet future demand
• Loosening restrictions will not risk a second peak and overwhelm the NHS.

Cllr Allcock said: “The advice from our public health team on May 29 was that there were reasonable concerns that not all of the Government’s five key tests had been met locally.

“In particular, there was not confidence that the key test around effective testing and tracing was met, given the very recent introduction of the Government’s test and trace programme.

Windlesham School was the only school in Brighton and Hove to reopen to Reception, Year 1, and Year 6 pupils this week

“This is a particular issue for the city given we have high numbers of visitor footfall.

“The R rate is one of the many factors taken into account by our public health team when issuing their advice.

“Our director of public health has commented on how this is arrived at and why a meaningful local figure for Brighton and Hove is not possible to arrive at.”

• 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