'You will not be fined': Leeds Council reassure parents who chose not to send children to school during pandemic

Leeds Council has said it will not fine parents who chose not to send their children back to school during the coronavirus pandemic.
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It comes after the government announced that schools can reopen from June 1st.

Addressing parents directly on its official Facebook page, Leeds City Council said: "Following the government announcement that schools would begin a phased reopening from the 1st June, we want to reassure parents that at this stage if your child is not able to return, it is not compulsory for them to do so and you will not be fined if you decide to keep them at home."

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Leeds Council outlines policy on fines for absent kids when schools reopen
Leeds Council has said it will not fine parents who chose not to send their children back to school during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: GettyLeeds Council has said it will not fine parents who chose not to send their children back to school during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Getty
Leeds Council has said it will not fine parents who chose not to send their children back to school during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Getty
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He said: “We have one primary school where every classroom can be accessed from outside individually, compared to another primary school where there is a singular door and the school is on a main road, with quite a narrow pavement, meaning social distancing is impossible."

Speaking at the virtual press conference, council leader Judith Blake added: “Even if our schools were able to fully open on June 1, it’s very doubtful how many parents would choose to send them to school because they have such a significant level of concern and a loss of confidence in what they are being told.”

The Government has clarified what will happen in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) said: "Whilst there will be no penalty for families who do not send their children to school, families will be strongly encouraged to take up these places - unless the child or a family member is shielding or the child is particularly vulnerable due to an underlying condition."

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