Headteachers warn parents to expect 'major disruption' to schools in coming weeks

Is your school still planning a nativity or show and filming it for parents? Are you sad to miss out on the annual tradition? Let us know in the comments here, or share your views on our Manchester Family Facebook page. It also allows for indoor singing when England’s national lockdown ends on December 2, but only by choirs and with no audience participation.

forced to U-turn on plans to close early for the Christmas holidays this week. The M.E.N revealed that leaders of Focus Trust were under pressure from the government to reverse their plan to shut a week earlier than planned.

heading for tier 3 restrictions when lockdown ends next week, pupils are continuing to be sent home from primaries and secondaries across the region. We reported at the weekend how many feel schools are 'descending into chaos' and concerns are growing over Year 11s being expected to sit exams next year despite missing out on large chunks of classroom learning time.

government announcing this morning that Manchester will be placed in Tier 3 when national lockdown ends on December 2, the mayor says the 'halfway house approach' taken to lockdown is partly to blame.Reacting to the news that the region now faces the toughest measures for at least another fortnight, he told the Manchester Evening News: "It was a personal view and maybe not everybody's view, but I think schools should have been included in the national circuit break, because actually it would

Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.

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

according to the M.E.N’s analysis of yesterday’s figures, with some dropping by more than a third in that time. Trafford's have seen a particularly substantial reduction, having almost halved since October 23.

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.

a similar move by Focus Trust, which runs seven primaries in Greater Manchester, Stockport council has given permission for schools to close two days earlier than planned.

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.

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.

they warned of 'major disruption' to schools amid the pandemic.

What do you think of the ad? What's your favourite Christmas ad so far? Let us know in the comments here or share your views on our Manchester Family page. Commenting on the ad on the McDonald's Facebook page, dad Paul Mcdowall said: "This actually brought a tear to my eyes.

This is the derailed train which caused major disruption to rail services in the north of England.The freight train, which was carrying cement, came off the track as it travelled through Sheffield station overnight.It was travelling at a slow speed through platform one, but many of the 34 carriages derailed.The incident meant services between Manchester Piccadilly and the south Yorkshire station were cancelled.No one was hurt in the incident, which happened at about 2.45am.But the derailment

No trains are running between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield after a train derailed.Major disruption is expected on services through Sheffield until the end of the day, National Rail Enquiries warn.A freight train derailed just north of Sheffield, resulting in all lines through the South Yorkshire city being blocked.Transport for Greater Manchester tweeted about the incident, saying: "Due to a derailment at Sheffield there are no rail services between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield in