Hertfordshire County Council has pledged to support school leadership across the county as primary schools in Watford and some surrounding areas have been asked to delay opening in January.

Primary schools in select areas of England will be asked to stay shut to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers for the start of term in January - and all other pupils will be encouraged to use remote learning.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson called this a "last resort" and the majority of areas will have schools opened as planned on Monday (January 4).

But primary schools in Watford, Broxbourne, Hertsmere and Three Rivers are among those ordered to stay closed for the start of term.

Councillor Terry Douris, cabinet member for Education, Libraries and Localism, said: “I would like to reassure all our residents that Hertfordshire County Council will be supporting school leadership teams across the county, following the Government announcement regarding the staggered re-opening of schools for the Spring Term.

“We recognise that disruption to education causes difficulties, but the health and safety of our pupils, staff, families and residents is of the utmost importance to both the Government and Hertfordshire County Council.

"We are currently working on arrangements to be made for children of key workers and others for whom the government have nominated, to continue attending school in some capacity. Schools will be reviewing their risk assessments to ensure safety within schools can be maintained."

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As part of the support from the Government to encourage remote learning, education secretary Gavin Williamson said he expects to deliver 50,000 devices to schools across the country on January 4, adding 100,000 devices in total will be delivered during the first week of term.

Talking on remote learning, Cllr Douris said: “Since the start of the outbreak, schools have adapted to the ever-changing situation and staff have worked incredibly hard to enable many thousands of pupils to engage in remote learning organised by their schools, with tasks being set daily through a variety of online resources.

“Once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank all education staff across the county for their constant resilience and hard work during these challenging times. I can confirm the Heads of each of our schools in Hertfordshire will be contacting the families of all pupils to provide information about their specific opening plans and provision of free school meals.”