A WORCESTER headteacher has said the situation surrounding schools reopening is a “mess” following reports schools may not open in mid-February, and they will have two weeks notice to reopen.

Bryony Baynes, headteacher from Kempsey Primary School, responded to comments the Education Secretary made in media interviews.

When asked if schools would reopen in mid-February as was first agreed, Gavin Williamson said he wanted them to reopen at the “earliest possible stage”, and schools would have “absolutely proper notice” when they will reopen, adding it would be a “clear two weeks”.

But Mrs Baynes said as her school was a primary and not required to test pupils, and as they have the lateral flow tests for staff, in theory they could open at shorter notice.

She said: “What would the two weeks be for? If it is safe to get the children in school, get on with it,” the headteacher said. The longer we delay the more damage that is done to children. Why do we need two weeks to reopen, when we were given 12 hours notice to close? It doesn’t make sense. It is a mess, an absolute mess. The problem is Mr Williamson keeps reacting, instead of being proactive.

“He gets pushed on this (in an interview) and comes up with ‘two weeks notice’.”

Robin Walker, Worcester MP said: “Teachers and headteachers are keen to be teaching in school as normally as possible, as soon as they possibly can. I sympathise with their frustrations - it is an unprecedented situation.

“What Gavin was reflecting is they do need information, particularly on how assessments are going to be managed. They want to know exactly how the system is going to work.

“It was within that context that he said they will need two weeks notice.”

The MP added he was currently meeting with headteachers, and seeing how they were coping in lockdown.

Primary and secondary schools have previously been told they are to open to keyworker children, and offer online home learning, until at least half term in mid-February.

Mr Williamson was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.