Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has ordered Greenwich Council to keep all schools in the area open, just days before the school holidays are due to start. The news also comes as London is due to move into tier three restrictions from Wednesday. He said “using legal powers is a last resort but continuity of education is a national priority, it is simply not in children’s best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors. That’s why I won’t hesitate to do what is right for young people and have issued a direction to Greenwich Council setting out that they must withdraw the letter issued to head teachers on Sunday.”
The Department of Education said no decisions had been taken yet about what action to take against these councils. Greenwich council said changing plans already in place since Tuesday would be ‘impossible’ and they are seeking legal advice and would respond to the government on Tuesday morning.
Danny Thorpe said “we currently have the highest rates of Covid-19 since March, with numbers doubling every four days.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said ‘If the government isn’t careful these children will pass on the virus to really vulnerable people because the rules are relaxed over Christmas.
Photo:PA Photos
