Primary school announces it will not reopen on Monday after 16 teachers hand in letters

Gildersome Primary School alerted parents to a letter sent out from headteacher Caroline Hoyle on Sunday.

The school posted on Facebook: "All parents have been emailed a letter today with regard to the opening of school tomorrow. Please ensure you check your emails as a matter of urgency."

Mrs Hoyle, headteacher of the school, said in the letter that she had "received an email signed from 16 staff, the majority of staff whom are teachers stating that they are exercising their right not to teach full classes as from tomorrow".

The letter from staff said attending the school would "present a serious and imminent danger" to their health and safety.

The letter in full sent to the headteacher by the staff reads: "(As the Head Teacher, I) have legal duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff and pupils.

"Those duties arise under the following legislation: - • Sections 2 and 3 of the Health & Safety Act 1974 • Regulations 3 and 8 of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 • Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 • Regulation 4 of the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 • Regulation 7 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002