11.6 C
Harrow on the Hill
Thursday, September 21, 2023
HomeEducationHarrow primary schools to open next week as planned despite alarming rise...

Harrow primary schools to open next week as planned despite alarming rise in covid cases

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.”