Specialist school in Northamptonshire closes to two year groups due to ‘staffing shortages unrelated to Covid-19’

A specialist school has closed its doors for two year groups on a ‘day to day basis’ due to staffing shortages.

The Gateway School and Technology College, in St John’s Road, Tiffield near Towcester has asked Year 8 and Year 10 to stay at home today (September 22).

A number of staff members at the school, which gives children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties an alternative to mainstream education, are not able to attend for reasons, which according to a spokeswoman, are unrelated to Covid-19.

The school's business manager said: “We are partly open but have closed to Year 8 and Year 10, a total of 20 pupils, due to staffing shortages.

“We have a robust risk assessment in place, which says if we have a certain amount of teachers off to be able to run the school safely we have to take action.

“The safeguarding of our pupils is our highest priority.

“We have stopped two years from coming in today and if it carries on, we would change that if necessary.

“We are taking it day by day and we will let parents know.”

The spokeswoman was unable to confirm how many staff were off and when asked if it was due to self-isolation, she said the absences were not related to Covid-19.

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