FIVE Darlington schools will not reopen on Monday as originally planned following evidence which suggests the infection rate in the region still remains high.

Haughton Academy, Springfield Academy, Gurney Pease Academy, Beaumont Hill Academy and Marchbank Free School will now reopen on Monday, June 15, a week after the original date.

In a letter to parents and guardians, Mike Butler, Chief executive of The Education Village Academy Trust, said the trust's board had reviewed guidance on the reopening of schools and the current Covid-19 situation in the region.

The Northern Echo previously reported that the North-East still had the highest coronavirus infection rate in the UK, which has remained the case for the past five weeks.

But addressing the reopening of its schools and academies, the letter said: "The Department for Education has continued to issue guidance over the last two weeks, and the Trust’s Board have reviewed this alongside the advice of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), including evidence that the rate of infection (the R rate) varies across the country, and remains higher in our region than others.

"Following its consideration, the Board has made a decision that EVAT’s Academies and Schools will now open more widely from Monday 15 June 2020 at the earliest.

"The Board and Trust staff are looking forward to welcoming more pupils back to school, but it is very important that we do this when we are confident that every possible step has been taken to minimise the risks to everyone who will be on our premises.

"In the coming days, staff will be in contact with you if your child falls into one of the categories entitled to return."

Mr Butler confirmed that parents would not be penalised if they chose not to send their children back to school under the current circumstances.

He said: "It remains the case that it is your decision whether to take up the offer of provision or not; neither you nor the school will be penalised for any non-attendance.

"If you do decide your child will be returning, staff will provide further information about drop-off and pick-up times and points and answer any further questions you might have."