Chadderton school to withdraw pupils if parents break lockdown rules

A head teacher in Chadderton has said she will withdraw pupils currently attending the primary school if their parents are found to be breaking the lockdown rules. 

Schools in England are currently closed except for vulnerable children or children of key workers, while the current lockdown means that mixing of households is against the law. 

But Martine Buckley, head teacher at Yew Tree Community School on Alcester Street, has said that some children have told teachers that they have been visiting friends, neighbours and family outside of their household. 

She has written an open letter to parents, which is on the school's website, urging them to follow the lockdown rules and has threatened to remove their child's place in school if they are breaking the rules and putting staff in danger. 

The letter in full

"Dear Parents. I am very upset to be writing this letter but I feel I must.

"Our lovely children are open and honest and they tell us about their lives and activities. Currently a number of them are telling us that they are visiting friends, neighbours and family which is against the law. Our teachers and support staff are putting their own safety at risk to look after your children and they should be confident that you are doing your bit to follow the lockdown rules. 

"I am afraid that I will have to withdraw the offer of a place in school to children whose parents are putting us in danger.

"To everyone who is doing the right thing I want to say a huge thank you. I know that this is most of you.

"I know that home learning is nigh on impossible for too many of you and we all sympathise and feel for you. We will get over this much quicker if we all follow the rules."