BRIGHTON and Hove City Council has advised primary schools to move to remote learning rather than having pupils return to classrooms today.
This advice is currently set to remain in place until January 18.
Scroll down for a list of the schools and nurseries in Brighton and Hove that we know are remaining closed today.
The government has triggered the education contingency framework which includes the option to move primary schools to remote education should rates of incidence or transmission of the virus in a local area require it.
Council leader Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, to ask him to include primary schools in Brighton and Hove in the list of schools that have moved to remote learning.
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The decision was made by the council after officials noted a sharp rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the city.
"Schools do have the discretion to close their nursery classes so some school nurseries may be closed for children who are not vulnerable or key worker children," a council spokesman said.
The number of cases reported in Brighton and Hove, as of December 27, had increased by 500 per cent since the end of the second national lockdown on December 2.
This is the latest information on the status of primary schools in Brighton and Hove:
1. Aldrington Church of England Primary School
The school in Eridge Road, Hove, has an inset day today. We will provide further information when this is available.
2. Balfour Primary School
The school in Balfour Road, Brighton, has an inset day today. We will provide further information when this is available.
3. Benfield Primary School
The school in Old Shoreham Road, Portslade, will be closed for the majority of children "for at least two weeks".
A spokesman said: "Monday is already an inset day for staff and we will use this time to plan for remote learning and preparing which children will be in school.
"On Monday (today) we will provide you with more details about how we will run both school and remote learning.
"If you are a key worker and think your child will need a place in school, it is vital that you complete the form that has been sent and return it to school.
"We are really sorry that this news is not the way we wanted to start the year.
"This is a difficult situation for everyone and it is vital that we keep everyone safe and well."
4. Bilingual Primary Brighton & Hove School (free school)
The school in The Droveway, Hove, will be closed.
A spokesman said: "As planned, we will be closed to all pupils on Monday 4 January and dedicate our inset day to preparing for remote learning.
"Children will be learning from home from January 5.
"We will send out information regarding this remote learning provision including login information for online learning on Monday.
"There will be limited provision in school for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. We will send more information about this on Monday."
5. Bevendean Primary School
The school in Heath Hill Avenue, Brighton, says "no children are expected at school" today.
A spokesman said: "From Tuesday, only those children of critical workers (will be attending)."
Other children will be learning remotely.
The school's headteacher Mr Giddens said: "I apologise for this late notice. I am communicating this information to you as soon as possible.
"Myself and school staff, as I am sure you will appreciate, would rather be in school with the children, however the safety and well-being of all members of the Bevendean Primary School and Nursery community is our number one priority during this continued challenging time."
6. Brackenbury Primary School
More information will be provided on the school in Locks Hill, Portslade, when this is available.
7. Brunswick Primary School
The school in Somerhill Road, Hove, will be closed.
A school spokesman said: "Due to a large increase in Covid cases in Brighton and Hove, the council has asked all schools to temporarily close and move to remote, home learning.
"Vulnerable children and those who accessed Emergency Provision in July will be able to attend from today, and Early Years Foundation Stage children and children of key workers from tomorrow."
8. Carden Primary School
The school in County Oak Avenue, Brighton, has an inset day today. More information will be provided when available on whether or not children will return to the school tomorrow.
9. City Academy Whitehawk
The school in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, will be partially closed for the start of term.
Aurora Academies Trust chief executive Tim McCarthy said: "I regret to inform you that our risk assessments conclude that we cannot open for all pupils on January 5 as planned and, as a consequence, City Academy Whitehawk will be offering only remote education to its pupils until at least Friday, January 15.
"However, the school will be open to...Critical Workers’ children and other vulnerable groups."
10. Carlton Hill Primary School
The school in Sussex Street, Brighton, is "closed for all pupils" today.
A spokesman said: "From January 5 (tomorrow) school is closed for all pupils except for vulnerable children and those of critical workers.
"This decision has been made by the leader of the council to keep children, school staff and the wider community as safe as possible."
11. Coldean Primary School
More information will be provided on the plans of the school in Kenwards, Brighton, when this is available.
12. Coombe Road Primary School
The school in Milner Road, Brighton, has an inset day today.
From tomorrow, only vulnerable children and those whose parents are critical workers will attend in person.
All other children will receive remote learning.
13. Cottesmore St Mary's Catholic Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in The Upper Drive, Hove, when more information is available.
14. Elm Grove Primary School
The school in Elm Grove, Brighton, is open "only to (the children of) key worker(s) and vulnerable pupils".
Headteacher Louise Willard said: "The school will make contact with families who may be classed as vulnerable on Monday (today) to discuss possible provision. However, please call the school if you haven't been contacted by 2pm and you feel your child may be in this category.
"...All other families will be contacted during the morning of January 5 to update them on remote learning provision and how to access it.
"We are in a much stronger position in terms of remote learning systems than the previous lockdown and are well-prepared to continue pupil learning in the most effective way possible, although we are very aware remote learning is no substitute for face-to-face learning in the classroom."
15. Fairlight Primary School
The school in St Leonard's Road, Brighton, has an inset day today.
From tomorrow, it will be "closed to all children and remote learning will take place".
This will last until at least January 18.
A spokesman said: "Our number one priority is the health , wellbeing and safety of our children, staff and all members of the Fairlight community."
16. Goldstone Primary School
An update on the school in Laburnum Avenue, Hove, when further information is available.
17. Hangleton Primary School
The school in Dale View, Hove, will be "closed for the majority of children".
These measures are expected to last "at least two weeks".
A school spokesman said: "Monday (today) is already an inset day for staff and we will use this time to plan for remote learning and preparing which children will be in school.
"On Monday, we will provide you with more details about how we will run both school and remote learning.
"If you are a key worker and think your child will need a place in school, it is vital that you complete the form that has been sent and return it to school.
"We are really sorry that this news is not the way we wanted to start the year. This is a difficult situation for everyone and it is vital that we keep everyone safe and well."
18. Middle Street Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Middle Street, Brighton, when more information is available.
19. Mile Oak Primary School
The school in Graham Avenue, Mile Oak, Portslade, has sent "an important letter" to parents and carers "via Schoolping".
A post on the school's Facebook page read: "Please check and respond as soon as possible. If you are unable to access Schoolping please email us at office@mileoak.brighton-hove.sch.uk and we will help get you reconnected."
20. Moulsecoomb Primary School
The school in The Highway, Brighton, will move to remote learning for the start of the spring term.
A spokesman said: "Due to a large increase in COVID cases in Brighton & Hove, the council have asked all schools to temporarily close and move to remote, home learning.
"Vulnerable children or the children of key workers will be able to attend from Wednesday."
21 Peter Gladwin Primary School
The majority of children at the school in Drove Road, Portslade, will be moved to remote learning.
A spokesman for the school said: "Peter Gladwin and all other mainstream primary schools in the city will be closed to most pupils until at least January 18."
"Online learning will be available to all pupils from tomorrow. Today is staff inset day.
"The council recognise this is extremely last-minute advice and apologise for this.
"However, this is a fast-moving situation and we need to keep children, school staff and the wider community as safe as possible."
22. Queens Park Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Park Street, Brighton, when more information is available.
23. Rudyard Kipling Primary School
The school in Chalkland Rise, Brighton, will be closed to children from tomorrow until further notice, with the exception of vulnerable children and those of critical workers.
24. St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
The school in Belfast Street, Hove, is closed to all pupils today.
This day will be used "to organise our in school critical worker and vulnerable pupil provision which will begin tomorrow".
All other children will move to remote learning.
25. St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Ann Street, Brighton, when more information is available.
26. St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School
The school in London Road, Brighton, has provided an update to parents and carers.
A message on the school's website reads: "Please check your School Ping for information regarding our return this term.
"If you have any questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to contact the school office at mail@stberns.brighton-hove.sch.uk."
27. St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Whitehawk Hill Road, Brighton, when more information is available.
28. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Teachers at the school in Davey Drive, Brighton, will be at the site today preparing remote learning packs for children.
A school spokesman said: "Brighton and Hove City Council has advised headteachers that, due to vastly increased cases of Covid in the city, primary schools in the city should remain closed and provide remote learning for pupils from today.
"Schools in Brighton and Hove will remain open only for children of 'essential' workers or for vulnerable children.
"As this will take a few days to organise fully, St Joseph's will be closed to all pupils today."
29. St Luke’s Primary School (community school)
The school in Queen's Park Rise, Brighton, is closed today for an inset day.
More information will be provided when available.
30. St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean, when more information is available.
31. St Mark's Church of England Primary School
An update will be provided on the school in Manor Road, Brighton, when more information is available.
32. St Martin's Church of England Primary School
The school site in Hartington Road, Brighton, will be closed from tomorrow.
A school spokesman said: "Unfortunately, following advice from Brighton Council, we will not be able to open school on Tuesday and will only be open to essential key workers.
"More information and updates will be sent via Texts and ParentMail."
33. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
An update on the school in Church Road, Portslade, will be provided when more information is available.
34. St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School
An update on the school in Spring Street, Brighton, will be provided when more information is available.
35. St Nicolas Church of England Primary School
The school in Locks Hill, Portslade, has an inset day today.
An update on the school's plans will be provided when more information is available.
36. St Paul's Church of England Primary School
An update on the school in St Nicholas Road,, Brighton, will be provided when more information is available.
37. St Peter’s Community Primary School
The school in St Peter's Road, Portslade, will be closed from today "to all children except those of critical workers or vulnerable children".
Headteacher Michele Lawrie said: "It is expected that children will undertake remote learning daily via our Microsoft Teams Online Learning Platform for all pupils starting from tomorrow.
"...We all want to see our children safely back in school as we know only too well that this (is) what is best for their education, and their health and well-being, but we also recognise that the priority has to be the safety of children, school staff and the wider community.
"With this in mind, and also the knowledge that advice and updates from the government change on a daily basis, please bear with us over the next couple of days.
"We will keep you updated as best we can, and with as much notice as possible, of any changes in arrangements or any further information of which you need to be made aware."
38. Saltdean Primary School
The school in Chiltington Way, Saltdean, has an inset day today, with term starting tomorrow.
Headteacher John Maxwell said: "The rate in Brighton and Hove is currently 388 per 100,000 however the early indications are that this will approach rates of approximately 500 per 100,000 in the next few days.
"This rapid increase is mirrored in the rates in children and young people. As a community school, we will follow the advice of our local authority.
"...Once we have guidance to be able to complete our school risk assessment, we will be back in contact with you regarding our plans.
"As I am sure you appreciate, this is as short notice for us as it is for you, and we are working hard to prepare for this change in our plans.
"As always, our children and our community are our first priority, and we will write to you with more information as soon as we have it."
39. West Blatchington Primary School
The school in Hangleton Way, Hove, is using today as an inset day "to organise our provision for key worker and vulnerable pupils".
A school spokesman said: "We recognise this is extremely last-minute advice and we sincerely apologise for this.
"However, this is a fast-moving situation, and we need to keep our school community as safe as possible.
"The entire West Blatch team continues to be concerned about the educational experiences that children have missed due to the Covid pandemic and we care deeply about the impact on children’s emotional health and wellbeing.
"However, our priority must always be the safety of our children, staff and the wider community.
"Given the extremely short notice, we will be using Monday, January 4, 2021, as an inset day, to enable us to organise our provision for key worker and vulnerable pupils.
"School for these pupils will begin on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, and school will be closed to all pupils on Monday.
"We will be regularly reviewing the situation, and further information will be emailed tomorrow.
"Please note that teachers will meet virtually with children at 3pm on Monday, January 4, 2021, to share the plans for the remote learning."
40. Westdene Primary School
The majority of pupils at the school in Bankside, Brighton, will be learning remotely.
Today will be used as an inset day to prepare for the altered spring term.
A school spokesman said: "The local authority has advised primary schools to move to remote learning for all pupils from January 4.
"This is in light of the increased infection rates for Covid-19 across the city."
41. Woodingdean Primary School
An update on the school in Warren Road, Brighton, will be provided when more information is available.
We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available.
If you are aware of further information on the closure of primary school sites in Brighton and Hove at the start of the spring term, please email harry.bullmore@theargus.co.uk
This is the latest information on the status of infant schools in Brighton and Hove:
1. Downs Infant School
The school in Ditchling Road, Brighton, has moved to remote learning for the start of the spring term.
A post on the school's Twitter account read: "Following advice from the council regarding rates of increase the school leadership and governing body have confirmed a move to remote learning for all children except vulnerable or keyworker children.
"We are sad but need to prioritise safety. Parents/carers please check emails."
2. Hertford Infant School
The school in Hertford Road, Brighton, is moving "to remote learning with the exception of ‘in-school’ provision for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children" for the start of the spring term.
3. Patcham Infant School
The school in Highview Avenue South, Brighton, has an inset day today.
An update will be provided when further information is available.
4. Stanford Infant School
It has been reported that the school site is closed to all pupils other than vulnerable chilcren and those whose parents are critical workers.
An update on the school in Highcroft Villas, Brighton, will be provided when more information is available.
5. West Hove Infant School in Connaught Road
An update will be provided when more information is available.
6. West Hove Infant School in Portland Road
An update will be provided when more information is available.
This is the latest information on the status of junior schools in Brighton and Hove:
1. Downs Junior School
The school in Rugby Road, Brighton, is reported to have moved to remote learning for pupils who are not vulnerable or the children of critical workers.
2. Hertford Junior School
The school in Lychet Close, Brighton, will be "closed to all pupils" today.
A spokesman said: "Thereafter, the curriculum will be moved to remote learning with the exception of ‘in-school’ provision for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children."
3. Hove Junior School in Holland Road and Portland Road
The school sites will be closed to the majority of pupils from today.
A spokesman said: "All learning will move to remote learning online using Google Classroom in years 4, 5 and 6 and Seesaw in Year 3.
"Remote learning will begin on Monday, January 4.
"The school will still be able to provide places for keyworker parents/carers from tomorrow - both sites will be remaining open."
5. Patcham Junior School
The school in Ladies' Mile Road, Brighton, will be moving to remote learning from tomorrow.
Headteacher Alister Sutherland said: "All staff continue to be concerned about the educational experiences our children have missed due to the pandemic and the impact on some children’s emotional health and wellbeing of not being in school regularly.
"The priority right now, must be the safety of children, school staff and the wider community.
"We will be regularly reviewing our stance, and further information will be issued tomorrow and Monday, which remains an inset day."
Vulnerable children and those of critical workers will continue to attend.
6. Stanford Junior School
It has been reported that the school site is closed to all pupils other than vulnerable chilcren and those whose parents are critical workers.
An update on the school in Highcroft Villas, Brighton, will be provided when more information is available.
We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available.
If you are aware of further information on the closure of primary school sites in Brighton and Hove at the start of the spring term, please email harry.bullmore@theargus.co.uk
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