Greenwich council leader left with 'no choice' but to keep schools open after government pressure

George Martin
A teacher wearing a face mask teaches Year 6 pupils in a classroom with other pupils participating by video conference at the College Francais Bilingue De Londres French-English bilingual school in north London on June 2, 2020 as schools in England partially reopen from coronavirus shutdown. - Schools partially reopened in England on June 2 and the most vulnerable were allowed to venture outdoors, despite warnings that the world's second worst-hit country was moving too quickly out of its coronavirus lockdown. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
A teacher wearing a face mask teaches at a school in London. (Getty)

The leader of Greenwich council has said he has “no choice” but to ask schools to remain open following threats of legal action from the government.

Council leader Danny Thorpe had previously told schools in the south-east London borough to switch to remote learning for most pupils citing fears over coronavirus infection rates.

But on Monday evening, education secretary Gavin Williamson issued a temporary continuity direction to the London Borough of Greenwich demanding it withdraw letters sent to parents warning of closures.

The direction makes it possible for the government to apply to High Court or the county court for an injunction if the council does not comply.

Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, Conservative Party MP for South Staffordshire, returns to Downing Street from the weekly cabinet meeting, currently being held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in London, England, on November 10, 2020. (Photo by David Cliff/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Education secretary Gavin Williamson had previously urged schools in Greenwich to remain open. (Getty)

Labour councillor Danny Thorpe announced in a statement on Tuesday that although he did not agree with the government’s advice he had been left with “no choice but to ask schools to keep their doors open”.

"Yesterday the council received a directive from the government that schools in the borough must remain fully open until the end of term,” Thorpe’s statement read.

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“With COVID-19 cases rising rapidly in the borough, I cannot agree that this is the correct choice for our schools. However, I also cannot justify the use of public funds to fight the decision in the courts.

“Consequently, I have no choice but to ask our schools to keep their doors open to all students rather than just continuing with online learning.

"From the start of this pandemic, both myself and the whole council have worked tirelessly to support our whole school community.

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“The action we took on Sunday was based solely on doing the right thing for our borough, not a protracted legal argument with the Government, which absolutely nobody needs at the end of an extremely difficult term.”

Council leaders in Waltham Forest and Islington had also advised schools to move to online learning for the last few days of term.

But Williamson said on Monday: “It is simply not in children’s best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors.”

He added: “I have always been clear that using legal powers is a last resort but continuity of education is a national priority.

“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 headteachers on Sunday.

“The Regional Schools Commissioner will continue to work closely with Greenwich Council and schools in the borough, as we have done with schools across the country, to support them with any operational challenges they face and ensure children can continue to receive face-to-face education.”

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