Public Health Northamptonshire has ‘no plans’ to shut more schools after string of closures announced

Schools will not be advised to close early for half term in Northamptonshire, according to local public health bosses.

Across the county there have been a string of closures this week due to Covid-19 cases in schools or staff shortages surrounding self-isolation.

Weston Favell Academy shut to all pupils on Monday (October 19) and both St James Primary School and Northampton International Academy announced closures on Tuesday (October 20).

Public Health Northamptonshire has confirmed that infections are rising ‘rapidly’ across all settings in the county and that school closures entirely rests with the education provider.

A spokeswoman for the authority which is part of Northamptonshire County Council said: “Any decision to close a school rests with the head teacher in discussion with the chair of governors and governing board, or in the case of multi academy trust schools – the responsibility of the trustees as they are the employers.

“We understand that where schools are closing it is because it has been judged that they do not have sufficient staff to operate their school safely.

“As reported in the weekly surveillance report, infections across Northamptonshire are rising rapidly and we are seeing a corresponding rise in cases in schools, leading to an increase in the number of staff unavailable for work, often due to the need to self-isolate.

“Outbreaks continue to be a feature of the pandemic both in Northamptonshire and across the country.

“Every setting is supported in the event of an outbreak and provided with appropriate guidance and support.

“The local authority has no plans to advise schools to close ahead of half term.”

Further updates on the rising levels of Covid-19 in the county will be given by Public Health Northamptonshire at the weekly press briefing on Friday (October 23).

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