Mid Sussex village school staying closed amid Covid-19

St. Augustine’s Church of England Primary School in Scaynes Hill will remain closed this week with the exception of children of key workers and vulnerable children.

Nicky Wastie, school secretary, added: “A decision will be made on Friday whether to open next week.”

The Mid Sussex Times understands the following schools in the district have also not reopened today:

- Birchwood Grove County Primary School, Burgess Hill

- Bolnore Village Primary School, Haywards Heath

- Manor Field Primary School, Burgess Hill

- Southway Junior School, Burgess Hill

- St Wilfrid’s Primary School, Burgess Hill

- The Gattons Infant School, Burgess Hill

- The Windmills Junior School, Hassocks

- Wivelsfield Primary School, Wivelsfield Green

Rob Carter, headteacher at St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill confirmed the school will be opening in line with the Department for Education’s expectations for key workers, those taking exams.

Remote and online learning is put in place for all, he added, and the school is expecting a return of year 11 and year 13 students from January 11, and others from January 18.

Harriet Tarnoy, headmaster’s secretary at Brambletye School in East Grinstead, confirmed the school is opening this week for all children in year 6 and below.

The school will be having a staggered start for year 7 and year 8, so the school is ready to roll out testing for them.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We are working closely with all schools across West Sussex to support them with their safety measures for reopening in line with Department for Education guidance, and to support online learning where schools are using it.

“We are aware that some West Sussex primary schools have not been able to open for face-to-face teaching for all pupils today as scheduled and we are working with them on opening as soon as they can with sufficient staff to ensure that pupils can be managed safely.

“We understand how concerning and frustrating this situation is for pupils, staff and families and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding.”