As the Christmas break comes to an end, these Dorset primary schools will remain closed today.

It comes after a statement was issued by the National Education Union, advising teachers it is not safe to return due to rapidly increasing infection rates.

However, in a statement today, PM Boris Johnson has insisted teachers are at 'no greater risk' if they return.

Atlantic Academy on Portland is now shut until January 14 but will instead be offering online learning from today.

The school is open to children with parents who are care workers.

St George's Primary School on Portland said that in light of the advice, the school will remain closed for a further two weeks except for children of key workers and children who are receiving support from external agencies.

For those in receipt of free school meals, these can be collected from the school before 10am each morning.

St Catherine's school in Bridport is closed to all pupils on Monday January 4 while arrangements are confirmed.

The school will only open to children of key workers and vulnerable pupils from Tuesday January 5 until further information is received.

Conifers Primary School will be closed to all children today, Monday January 4, and open to vulnerable children and children of key workers only from tomorrow (Tuesday January 5).

The school will reopen to all pupils from Monday January 18.

"All Conifers staff are dedicated, committed and conscientious people and I know the decision to remain closed will remain heavy on their minds," the school said in a statement.

Remote learning will be made accessible from today and parents and carers of children deemed to be vulnerable will be contacted.

Parents who are key workers should email office@conifers.dorset.sch.uk

No reason was given for the closure.

Holy Trinity School parents and guardians received an email last night informing them that pupils would not be able to return after the Christmas holidays.

The email stated: "I am very sorry for the late message, but the school will be CLOSED tomorrow (Monday). I will be in touch with more information soon.

"If you need anything, please do send me a message. I will help where I can.

"Don’t forget, families who are entitled to free school meals will be able to collect these tomorrow from 11 outside the main school entrance."

"Thank you for your understanding and I apologise for this news reaching you late.

Portesham Primary School is also shut today. 

Parents received a text message yesterday at 3.30pm, saying the school will not open.

One parent said, "When we asked the headteacher whose decision this was, given it is not the Government guidance, they said the School Governors."

Gillingham Primary School is understood to be closed.

This from a reader: "Parents have been informed by the headteacher that Stoborough Primary School will be closed to most children (except Reception and Year 6 and key worker children) until at least January 18 due to staff shortages (many choosing to stay home and follow their union advice).

"The school had a Covid outbreak in year 6 just before Christmas."

The National Education Union has issued the following statement, advising teachers that it is not safe to return to school today.

The NEU’s advice to members is that it is, in our view, unsafe for you to attend the workplace at present.  We have written to all employers and all head teachers and principals giving this same advice and asking them to make preparations for a move to remote learning instead.

This advice applies to all primary and secondary schools, special schools and SEND settings, colleges and early years settings.

The NEU’s advice is that you should decide to advise your head teacher or principal that you will not be attending the workplace but will be available to work remotely from home. 

Our advice applies for at least the first two weeks of term, the same period for which secondary schools and some primary schools have already been instructed by Government to move to remote learning...

The NEU is issuing this advice after careful consideration of the advice which was apparently given to the Government by the SAGE advisory group and the current position on infection rates. 

In a statement today, Dorset Council said the authority supported school leaders in risk-assessing and maintaining safe environments:

Dorset Council has worked closely with schools throughout the pandemic to support school leaders in undertaking risk assessments and in safely keeping children in school. Our schools have been open throughout for children of key workers and children with additional vulnerabilities.

We share the intention of our school leaders of wanting to see all our children and young people safely in school and we also share their wholly understandable concerns about the rise in the numbers of people testing positive with Covid19. The Dorset Council area figures remain some of the lowest in the country, in the Dorset area cases for all ages stand at 259 per 100K. However, we are in Tier 3 and it is essential that everyone follows the government guidance to support our communities remaining safe.

Leader of Dorset Council Spencer Flower said: “We are proud of our schools and our school leaders in Dorset and will continue to support them in risk assessing and delivering  safe environments for our children and campaign to see all school staff prioritised for vaccination as soon as possible.

“Schools have remained open, and this is Government policy. We have seen limited transmission in schools so far, and outbreaks and response to positive cases have been well managed with all partners clear on what needs to happen under our outbreak management plans. The phased return is being used to enable secondary schools to get ready to use rapid testing for returning pupils, with teachers tested regularly throughout term. Infection rates remain low relative to older ages – the exception is the 15-19 age group where there are higher infection rates.”

Is your child's school remaining closed? Do you have a school to add to this list? Email ellie.maslin@dorsetecho.co.uk

As PM Boris Johnson insists it is safe to return, we're asking readers for their views on whether schools should open or remain closed. Let us know in the comments.