Schools across Bristol and South Gloucestershire are having to send children home due to staff shortages caused by coronavirus crisis.
Cam Everlands Primary School was forced to close entirely on Monday (16 November) due to a shortage of staff following a number of coronavirus cases across different year groups.
The shortage comes as teachers are having to self isolate due to a rising cases confirmed cases in schools across the region, with some having to bring in supply teachers to fill the void.
One parent from Bristol, whose daughter goes to Bristol Brunel Academy, has been told to stay off school again today and tomorrow (20 November) after returning from her own initial period of self-isolation.
The parent said: “The school had emailed saying the school does not have enough staff for year 9 to be in school”.
A letter sent home to parents read: “We have been bringing in supply teachers each day to support us with this but this is becoming more challenging as the number of staff isolating increases.
“We are now in a position where we are unable to open the Academy fully to all year groups.”
In South Gloucestershire, Katherine Lady Berkeley School was missing 17 members of staff on one day last week for coronavirus-related reasons.
The total number of Covid-19 cases reported by either staff or students at the school has now reached double figures, although all cases appear to be in isolation.
In a letter sent to parents, headteacher Tim Rand said: “Without wishing to overstate the situation, it has been increasingly difficult to keep all aspects of school life at the usual high standards.
“On Tuesday (last week), we had 17 staff off, mainly for covid-related reasons and with the number of supply teachers we have to use on such days, it is difficult to maintain the same quality of provision; this inevitably puts a strain on the school community and its resources.
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“There may be a time in the coming weeks when we need to adopt a different model of delivery with more year groups being asked to work from home. We would very much like to avoid this but I felt it was best to warn you in advance as it is certainly something that many other schools across the country are doing.”
Oasis Academy Brightstowe has also had to send a year group home because of staff shortages due to coronavirus.
