PARENTS of pupils at Sir Frederick Gibberd College (SFG) have expressed frustration that the pupils will not be starting on Monday.

Earlier in the week, parents were told that “Years 8-11 term will start during the week commencing 11th September.

“We will confirm the exact date in a few days.

“This depends on the plans we’re initiating at speed so we ask for you to please bear with us while we get this right”

Parents of Year 8 to 11 pupils received an e-mail late on Friday evening, informing them of the latest proposed arrangements.

An e-mail seen by YH has told parents that they are “aiming to resume face-to-face teaching from Wednesday 13th September.

“Our temporary accommodation is looking lovely. Currently it is going through the last checks and the furniture decant.

“Children need to get ready to return to school for Wednesday 13th September. We have coaches arriving in the morning and at the end of the day for Year 7, so the front entrance is quite busy. Hence, we are going to open the side entrance too. Our staff will be at the entrances welcoming the children and helping them navigate the site.”

However, there are still many frustrated parents out there.

A parent told YH: “We have just been told at 6pm on Friday that our children won’t be going back until Wednesday.

“How does that work with parents who have childcare arrangements?

“As for work, it is unlikely that many bosses are going to understand what’s going on; let alone be accommodating.”

Another parent said: “I think we are being caught in the cross hairs of government legalese. “Aiming to resume and starting from are just two examples.

“Once again, I am not blaming the schools but rather the Department for Education”

The parliamentary candidate for Harlow, Chris Vince said: “”This last minute change of return date will throw another spanner in the works of many parents plans.

“The school made clear they were waiting for updates from the Robert Halfon’s  DfE. He has let Harlow residents down again”.

.