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

St George's Primary School on Portland said that advice to teachers issued by unions and Sage is that returning to school is not safe due to the 'alarming rate' of infection in recent weeks.

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.

However, no reason was given for the closure.

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.

Gillingham Primary School is understood to be closed.

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. 

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