Harrow is not included in areas within Tier 4 where primary schools will end delayed opening due to rising rates of covid infections.
The news comes as a surprise as other neighbouring boroughs such as Hillingdon and Brent will have delayed opening.
Primary schools in parts of Tier 4 where there are the highest number of cases will close. Only vulnerable children and those of key workers will be able to attend school in those areas.
The full list of areas are –
London
Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Bexley
Brent
Bromley
Croydon
Ealing
Enfield
Hammersmith and Fulham
Havering
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Kensington and Chelsea
Merton
Newham
Richmond-Upon-Thames
Southwark
Sutton
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Westminster
Essex
Brentwood
Epping Forest
Castle Point
Basildon
Rochford
Harlow
Chelmsford
Braintree
Maldon
Southend on Sea
Thurrock
Kent
Dartford
Gravesham
Sevenoaks
Medway
Ashford
Maidstone
Tonbridge and Malling
Tunbridge Wells
Swale
East Sussex
Hastings
Rother
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes
Hertfordshire
Watford
Broxbourne
Hertsmere
Three Rivers
Members of the Harrow Online Group have been taking to social media to post their thoughts on Harrow being omitted from the list.
One member said: “This doesn’t make sense. All boroughs surrounding harrow are closed, some with less cases per 100k population. Surely Harrow has been missed off by mistake???”
Another person said: “It’s all in the gov.uk website, at this very moment in time Harrow will still be opening next week but brent, Ealing and a few other areas may not open until the 18th with the acception of looking after vulnerable children”
Harrow West Labour MP Gareth Thomas posted on Facebook: “Earlier this evening, the Govt announced delays for the return of primary schools across the country. While all of our neighbouring boroughs appear on the list of schools facing a delayed return, Harrow does not.
“Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing and Brent share similar infection rates, and the same NHS Trust London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, as well as a pupil intake that crosses borders. I have written to the Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb to explain and review this decision as a matter of urgency.”
