Which South Tyneside schools reopen this week and which remain closed

A further standoff has erupted between education unions and the Government over the safety and viability of reopening schools, amidst calls for a fresh national lockdown.

The local authority has left the call over whether to open this week to individual schools in the borough.

According to the latest available information, the following schools in the area have revealed whether they will be opening or remaining closed this week:

Bamburgh School, South Shields: closedHeadteacher, Peter Nord, wrote to parents and carers at the weekend, saying: “I apologise for the short notice and inconvenience that this causes, however given very recent developments it is necessary for school to be closed to all pupils tomorrow (primary and secondary).

"This will allow us to fully consider these new developments, update procedures where necessary, begin to introduce essential training for staff and decide on immediate next steps.

"We will be contacting you with further information tomorrow (Monday 4th January).”Ashley Road Nursery, South Shields: open

Parents and carers received a message yesterday, saying: “School reopens for all pupils tomorrow. Please stick to allocated start/finish times and the one way system. We look forward to seeing you all then.”Bede Burn Primary School, Jarrow: openHeadteacher Helen Smith has told parents and carers: “We will be reopening the school as planned on Tuesday 5th January 2021. If anything changes...I will let you know.”

Biddick Hall Infants School, South Shields: open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers

In a weekend message to parents and carers, the school said: “The school will remain open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

"Could we ask that you contact school at your earliest convenience to inform us if you will require your child to be in school should we need to move to remote learning from Tuesday.”

Bamburgh School, South Shields: closedThe school issued the following message yesterday: “I apologise for the short notice and inconvenience that this causes, however given very recent developments it is necessary for school to be closed to all pupils tomorrow (primary and secondary).

"This will allow us to fully consider these new developments, update procedures where necessary, begin to introduce essential training for staff and decide on immediate next steps. We will be contacting you with further information tomorrow (Monday 4th January).”Boldon Nursery School, Boldon: openAn email sent to parents and carers at the weekend said: “We at Boldon Nursery School have been keeping up to date with local authority and Public Health England guidelines and as it stands we will be open from tomorrow Monday 4 January 2021 as usual unless we are told otherwise by the Government.”Clervaux Nursery School, Jarrow: open In a message to parents and carers, headteacher Jenny Parker has said: “You may have seen in the press that unions are pushing for school closures. As it stands we will still be open tomorrow unless we are told otherwise by the Government.Dunn Street Primary School, Jarrow: openIn a weekend message/syn to parents and carers, the school said: “We plan to open as normal on Tuesday 5th January and we can’t wait to see everyone.”Epinay School, South Shields: openOn New Year's Eve, headteacher Chris Rue contacted parents and carers with the following message: “As all pupils at Epinay School have an Education Health Care Plan, all should return on Tuesday 5th January 2021 as planned. Monday 4th January 2021 will be an inservice day.

“We look forward to seeing all pupils back at school on Tuesday 5th.”Forest View Primary School, South Shields: openThe school has told parents and carers via its Facebook page that it will reopen on Tuesday.Hadrian Primary School, South Shields: openThe school’s headteacher has told parents and carers: “As things stand currently, we will be open as normal on Monday 4th January.

"However, depending on what happens in the next 36 hours, this could change”.Harton Primary School, South Shields: openThe school is set to reopen tomorrow.Hebburn Comprehensive School, Hebburn: open to vulnerable pupils and children of key workersOn New Year’s Eve, the school told parents and carers that no pupils were to attend the centre today, as it is a staff training day. Only vulnerable pupils and the children of key or critical workers have been told to attend on Tuesday. Hebburn Lakes Primary School, Hebburn: openIn a New Year’s Eve update to parents and carers, the school’s headteacher said: “I can now confirm that school will reopen on Monday as planned. I will be reviewing the new guidance carefully over the next day or so and would ask all parents to check dojo on Sunday for final updates.”Hedworthfield Primary School, Jarrow: openThe school told parents and carers yesterday via its Facebook page: “Currently school is open as usual tomorrow.

“If this changes we will let you know as soon as we do.”Helen Gibson Nursery School, Boldon: openParents and carers were told yesterday: “As it stands we will still be open tomorrow unless we are told otherwise by the Government.

"In the meantime it would be very useful for me to know which parents are key workers and therefore in the event of a closure would continue to need childcare.”

Keelman’s Way School, Hebburn: closedThe school told parents and carers earlier today: “In light of recent developments regarding pupil and staff safety we will be operating remote, online learning for the next week. All families will be contacted by school staff on Tuesday.”Laygate Community School, South Shields: openIn a message to parents and carers, the school has said: “Please note that we are open on Monday 4th January 2021 to all pupils.”Lord Blyton Primary School, South Shields: openThe school’s headteacher told parents and carers yesterday: “The Chair of Governors and myself have made the decision to open school as usual tomorrow.”Mortimer Primary School, South Shields: open On New Year's Eve, the school told parents and carers: “School will reopen next week as planned. Monday is for staff only and on Tuesday we welcome the children back.”Ridgeway Primary Academy, South Shields: openThe school has told parents and carers: “We are currently expecting to open fully on Tuesday as planned. If there is any change to this, we will notify you as soon as we can via Facebook and Dojo.”Sea View Primary School, South Shields: openThe school told parents and carers yesterday: “In line with the government's current guidance we will continue to open as planned tomorrow. Thanks.”

Simonside Primary School, Jarrow: open

The school sent the following information to parents and carers on New Year’s Eve, which as of yet has not been updated: “Following the government announcement yesterday, school will be open to all children, as planned, from TUESDAY 5th JANUARY 2021.

“We completely understand that many of you will have concerns given the current situation across the country, but please rest assured that we will continue to do all we can to ensure school is as safe as possible for our children, staff and their families.”SS Peter and Paul RC Primary, South Shields: open to vulnerable pupils and children of key workersIn a weekend letter to parents and carers, SS Peter and Paul said: “Due to difficulties with staffing levels, school will only be open to children of key workers and vulnerable pupils from Tuesday 5th January. All other pupils will be taught remotely by staff.”St Aloysius RC VA Infant School, Hebburn: openThe St Aloysisus headteacher told parents and carers as part of a weekend message: “To confirm, there are no changes to our published reopening for Nursery to Year 6. We will reopen from 8.45 in both schools on Monday 4th.”Stanhope Primary School, South Shields: openStanhope has told parents and carers: “The school however will remain open unless we are directed by the Government or Local Authority to close.

“As school is still open, teachers will be unable to complete any remote learning but we will try our best to sort some paper learning packs out for those children who are at home.”

St Bede’s RC Primary School, Jarrow: openThe school wrote to parents and carers on Sunday, with the following message: “You may have seen this week’s media coverage of the Government’s latest announcement for the start of term on Monday.

“To confirm, there are no changes to our published reopening for Nursery to Year 6. We will reopen from 8.50am on Monday 4th January.”St Gregory’s RC Primary School, South Shields: openThe school’s head wrote to parents at the weekend, saying: ”We want to help families as much as possible but would like to stress that if we are directed to open only for vulnerable children and children of critical workers, the safest place for your child/children is at home.

"We ask that you only apply for a place if it is essential.”

St Joseph’s School, Hebburn: open to children of critical workersSt Joseph’s has said that “only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will be in school from Tuesday 5th January (Monday 4th January, INSET day). Remote education will also commence Tuesday 5th January.”

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow: closedIn a letter to parents and carers, the school has said: “In light of recent announcements from various unions and a review of staffing levels, we have made the difficult decision to fully close the school tomorrow Monday 4th January and take this day as an INSET day, the school will be closed to ALL pupils and families.”St Matthew’s RC Primary School, Jarrow: openSt Matthew’s has told parents and carers: “Currently, it is our plan to open school for all pupils on Tuesday 5 January 2021 at the usual time.”St Oswald's C of E VA Primary School, Hebburn: openThe school has told parents and carers: “We will be reopening the school as planned on Monday 4th January 2021.”St Wilfrid’s RC College, South Shields: open to children of critical workersSt Wilfrid’s has told parents and carers: “We will be making contact with all the critical care workers on the 4th January for allocation of places to begin from the 5th January.

“School buses will run for these pupils. A booking system will apply.”

Sue Hedley Nursery School, Hebburn: open The centre told parents and carers yesterday that it would reopen on Monday, adding: “Nursery education continues to be non-compulsory to attend; we do ask that if you are choosing to keep your child at home that you ring school in the morning and inform us.”Toner Avenue School, Hebburn: openThe school told parents and carers at the weekend that it would reopen on Tuesday.Valley View Primary School, Jarrow: open

The school told parents yesterday: “Currently school is open as usual tomorrow.

“If this changes we will let you know as soon as we do.”West Boldon Primary School, Boldon: openAt the weekend, the school told parents and carers: “We are aware that many of you are seeing the reports in the media regarding schools reopening after the Christmas break and are wondering if we will be open tomorrow.

"As things stand we are OPEN tomorrow for all year groups as normal”.

Whitburn Village Primary School, Whitburn: openThe school has issued the following update on its website: “School will be open as planned on Tuesday 5th January 2021.“Thank you for your ongoing support.”

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