JULIAN Sturdy has contacted the city council over concerns raised by parents that "too few" primary schools in York are currently opening their doors to all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

The York Outer MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement, made last week, that all year groups will be returning to school from the beginning of September.

Although it remains up to schools to decide how many children they are currently able to safely accommodate, Mr Sturdy said he is concerned that City of York Council is "encouraging local schools to take an overly cautious approach."

Parents of children at several York primary schools have contacted Mr Sturdy to express their frustration that their school is still only accepting the children of key workers. They say that this is creating problems with childcare and home schooling as they seek to go back to work.

Mr Sturdy has written to City of York Council to ask them to explain the advice that they are giving to schools on the return of students from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 prior to the end of the school year.

Mr Sturdy explained: "It is important that schools keep pace with the wider easing of the lockdown and it is crucial that they begin to accommodate more students as more and more parents go back to work.

"I have received concerning reports from parents around York that since lockdown was first eased, some schools have provided little or no expansion in the number of students that they are accepting back. Whilst I am pleased that from September, schools will be asked to reopen to all year groups, it is important that schools remain open to expanding access during these final weeks of the summer term."

Amanda Hatton, director of children, education and communities at the council, said York schools had worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to remain open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children and young people.

“We have worked closely with schools across the city to support as many pupils back to school as soon as possible, working within the government guidelines, once restrictions were lifted," she said.

"This has included working with them to overcome difficulties around class ‘bubble’ size, staffing levels and classroom space, all of which have caused problems in a number of our schools.

"Despite these issues, school attendance in York is in line with the national average.

“The council shares York schools’ commitment to welcoming all pupils safely back in September and we will continue to work with them to ensure that they are able to do so.”