Divide at the top of Greater Manchester over whether schools should shut during lockdown

reported yesterday how leaders of Focus Trust were under pressure from the government to reverse their plan to shut a week earlier than planned.They had announced last week that all 15 of their schools - seven of which are in Greater Manchester - would close on December 11, instead of the original planned date of December 18.The decision came amid growing concerns over the number of families that could be forced to isolate over the festive period because of positive cases in the run-up to the

schools in Greater Manchester 'descending into chaos', bubbles of schoolchildren are continuing to be sent home from primaries and secondaries across the region. Staff shortages are having a huge impact - with teachers either being confirmed with the virus themselves, identified as a close contact, or having to stay home because their own children are isolating from schools.

Heywood - were also full. During the first lockdown play areas were one of many things forced to close as the Government tried to stop the spread of Covid-19.But this time around they've been allowed to stay open.

hereWhen police managed to get inside after opening a number of locked doors they found a crowd of people.A total of 17 fixed penalty notices were issued to those at the gathering.

the north is being forgotten because schools in the south aren't being affected by the virus in the same way.

The schools closing a week early include:Focus Trust’s chief executive Helen Rowland said: “We recognise the short notice may be an issue for some families but we hope that by taking the proactive and practical approach of extending the break, we can ensure that no one is forced to self-isolate over the holiday because of someone they have come into contact with at school.“The time will be made up later in the school year when it is safe and practical to do so and families will be informed of

impact closures are having on pupils in the north, bubbles of schoolchildren are continuing to be sent home from primaries and secondaries across the region.

warning parents to expect 'major disruption' in the weeks ahead, bubbles of pupils are continuing to be sent home to isolate on a daily basis. Today's confirmed cases include the closure of one primary school to all year groups.

coronavirus patients have died in the second wave of the pandemic in Greater Manchester, the MEN can reveal.

survey.

Manchester Evening News, we have pledged to pay tribute to the special people who have died with this terrible disease.This week, more families have been in touch with tributes for loved ones.Here are some of their stories.If you want to pay tribute to a loved one, fill out the form here.Brenda was born in Rusholme and moved to Wythenshawe in 1973.She was wife to Derek, mum to Mark and Dawn and sister to Bernadette.Brenda moved into a care home in February 2019.She died aged 87 at Wythenshawe

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to help shut down the event in Piccadilly Gardens and disperse those present.

1,800 mile Bee Network - Olympian Chris Boardman's ambitious plan for a £1.5bn transformation of our roads to allow cycling and walking to flourish. So far, the region has £200m to spend on the scheme through a combination of government funding and council contributions.

warning parents to expect 'major disruption' in the weeks ahead, bubbles of pupils are continuing to be sent home to isolate on a daily basis. In the first half of the autumn term the number of schools affected by the virus reached more than 580.

What do you think? Have your say in the comments below here. Overall, the number of people waiting 12 hours or more for a bed - once being assessed at A&E as needing one - has more than quadrupled in Greater Manchester compared to this time last year.Pennine Acute saw the biggest numbers but is not the only hospital trust in the conurbation to appear towards the bottom of the national league table.Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, which was hit sooner than many others by high numbers of

more than 580.

Mirror.

more than 580. Now we're reporting on those where cases have been confirmed this week and over the school holidays.With councils not issuing the information to us, we are largely reliant on parents keeping us informed, so the true figure is expected to be much higher.Today's list includes Stockport Academy where Year 8 are now isolating until November 19 after a positive case.

more than 580 schools affected by the virus before the school holidays, we're now reporting on those where positive tests have been confirmed since they broke up.