A PRIMARY school in Bournemouth is not able to fully reopen after the Christmas break due to "significant staff shortages".

King's Park Academy, which is part of the Ambitions Academies Trust, made the announcement at short notice in the days prior to children heading back to the classroom this week.

A notice on the top of the school's website says: "Due to significant staff shortages, we are unable to open fully on Monday to children.

"We apologise for the short notice.

"A letter with more details will be sent out on January 4 regarding remote learning and keyworker/vulnerable children."

All schools across Ambitions Academies Trust have inset days on Monday, January 4.

Concerns have been raised across the country about the reopening of schools following the Christmas break given the rising coronavirus cases.

BCP Council's most recent statement in relation to schools was made on December 31, 2020, following updated guidance from the Department for Education.

The local authority said: "The children of key workers and vulnerable children should be going back to school as planned on 4 January.

"Essential work and visits to vulnerable children will continue.

"Primary schools should return as normal and these measures do not apply to early years providers.

"The new Department for Education guidance states that:

"In the week commencing 4 January, secondary schools should only provide on-site education to vulnerable children and children of critical workers, and prioritise remote education to those in exam years

"In the week commencing 11 January, secondary schools should provide on-site education to vulnerable children, children of critical workers and those in exam years, and provide remote education to all other pupils from 18 January, all pupils should return to on-site education.

"Schools will inform parents and carers directly about any changes to these arrangements."