BLACKBURN with Darwen schools have been advised to reopen for all reception class pupils on June 8.

The council is guiding its nurseries to open for children other than those of key workers or deemed vulnerable from the same date.

Primaries will be urged to open up for all Year One pupils on June 15 with those in Year Six recommended to return to class as part of a phased programme before the end of term on July 20.

Children in Year Ten of secondaries are expected to return during the summer to prepare for their GCSE exams 2021.

The guidance only applies to Blackburn with Darwen Council-run schools although those run by academies are likely to follow suit.

The Labour-run education authority’s guidance runs contrary to the government’s proposal to start fully-opening open up all primary schools June1 as part of a phased return.

It will leave the final decision on widening the range of pupils allowed back from the current vulnerable youngsters and children of key workers to heads and governors and will not compel parents to send their children to school while the covid-19 crisis lasts.

Lancashire County Council’s Conservative leader Cllr Geoff Driver,said: “We have advised our schools to prepare to reopen on June 1 but stressed the final decision is up to heads and governors. We are not saying yes or no to June 1.”

It runs local authority schools in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Blackburn with Darwen Council education boss Cllr Maureen Bateson who took the decision to opt for June 8 rather than June 1 said: “As a borough we are supportive of proposals to extend opening of schools as soon as it is safe to do so. Moving the date to June 8 is about making sure we get it right.”

Dominic Harrison, the borough’s public health director, said: “I do not support a return on June 1 as the evidence is not yet clear."

Shuttleworth College in Padiham and St John Fisher and St Thomas More RC High School in Colne had to close temporarily last week after teaching staff on site tested positive for covid-19.

Meanwhile, Saint Augustine's Roman Catholic High School in Clitheroe is closed until Wednesday after a member of staff who has coronavirus went to the premises on Friday.

In an announcement on Monday evening, the school said: "Following a confirmed case of COVID-19 for a member of staff who attended on Friday, school will be closed Monday and Tuesday while we ensure the site is safe for the return of staff and key workers' children."