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19 May 2020updated 06 Oct 2020 9:45am

Conservative-led Solihull council says schools won’t be ready to open on 1 June

By Samuel Horti

The Conservative-led Solihull council has said its primary schools will likely not be ready to open on 1 June.

Last night, Bury council said schools in the area would not open on 1 June, which is the date the government is targeting for the next phase of easing lockdown. Other councils, including in Hartlepool and Liverpool, have criticised the timing of the government’s plan, but Solihull is the first Conservative-led council to voice doubt over the date.

Schools in Solihull would need the first week of June to prepare for pupils, said Ian Courts, the leader of the council.

“The government has the ambition of a June 1 return, but the reality in Solihull is that schools will need to use that first week in June to ensure they are completely ready for more pupils to attend.

“So places may only be available from the week beginning June 8.”

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