Or Gavin Williamson is spoiling for a fight with Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest over 4 days.
Greenwich schools face legal challenge from Gavin Williamson to keep schools open | Evening Standard
Council leaders who have advised schools to shut early amid a rise in coronavirus cases have been warned the Government could use emergency legal powers to force schools to stay open in their areas.
Greenwich, Waltham Forest and Islington are among the local authorities that have advised schools to shut to the majority of pupils and move to online learning.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has issued a temporary continuity direction to the London Borough of Greenwich demanding it withdraw a letter to headteachers which requested schools switch to remote learning
“It is simply not in children’s best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors," said Mr Williamson in a statement.
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.”
The direction states it is enforceable by the Secretary of State making an application to the High Court or the county court for an injunction.
Following the Government’s legal direction, Danny Thorpe, the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said the local authority was in the process of “seeking legal advice”.
“Schools across the borough have now organised online learning from tomorrow, whilst others are opening their premises to all pupils," said the Labour councillor.
“This evening we received a legal direction from the Government to withdraw our request to schools. We are in the process of seeking legal advice and will respond to the Government in the morning.
“We have alerted schools, and will speak to them tomorrow. But given we received this notification just before 5pm, it was impossible to ask schools to change any of the arrangements they have in place for Tuesday.”
It comes after the regional schools comissioner (RSC) for the South East and south London, who acts on behalf of Mr Williamson, wrote to Greewnwich council warning it could face intervention from the Government.
The letter explains that new powers, introduced through the Coronavirus Act, allow the Secretary of State to issue “directions” to require schools to enable all pupils to attend school full-time.
Greenwich schools face legal challenge from Gavin Williamson to keep schools open | Evening Standard
Council leaders who have advised schools to shut early amid a rise in coronavirus cases have been warned the Government could use emergency legal powers to force schools to stay open in their areas.
Greenwich, Waltham Forest and Islington are among the local authorities that have advised schools to shut to the majority of pupils and move to online learning.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has issued a temporary continuity direction to the London Borough of Greenwich demanding it withdraw a letter to headteachers which requested schools switch to remote learning
“It is simply not in children’s best interests for schools in Greenwich, Islington or elsewhere to close their doors," said Mr Williamson in a statement.
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.”
The direction states it is enforceable by the Secretary of State making an application to the High Court or the county court for an injunction.
Following the Government’s legal direction, Danny Thorpe, the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said the local authority was in the process of “seeking legal advice”.
“Schools across the borough have now organised online learning from tomorrow, whilst others are opening their premises to all pupils," said the Labour councillor.
“This evening we received a legal direction from the Government to withdraw our request to schools. We are in the process of seeking legal advice and will respond to the Government in the morning.
“We have alerted schools, and will speak to them tomorrow. But given we received this notification just before 5pm, it was impossible to ask schools to change any of the arrangements they have in place for Tuesday.”
It comes after the regional schools comissioner (RSC) for the South East and south London, who acts on behalf of Mr Williamson, wrote to Greewnwich council warning it could face intervention from the Government.
The letter explains that new powers, introduced through the Coronavirus Act, allow the Secretary of State to issue “directions” to require schools to enable all pupils to attend school full-time.
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