A BRADFORD headteacher has hit out over "vile" abuse after the school took the decision to remain closed on Monday.

Parents and carers of children at Wibsey Primary School were told the school would not be open January 4, as around half the teaching staff would not be teaching full classes, having been advised by the National Education Union not to attend school if they were expected to. 

This was ahead of the national lockdown - and school closures - announced last night by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

In a letter yesterday, headteacher Nigel Cooper revealed the school had received abuse over the decision. 

He wrote: "This closure was forced on the school by the actions of a national union (NEU) putting staff members in a really difficult position.

"This comes out of a genuine concern, that I know many of you share, for Covid safety. I have ensured everyone worked today to provide online learning.

"No one had had a 'day off'."

He said the school "had no other option" and added: "I hate closing school. I have to say that we did receive a couple of messages that were abusive.

"I have written to individuals who put their name to these, but sadly some keyboard warriors thought it acceptable to heap anonymous and vile abuse.

"To these anonymous people I would say you need to look for another school for your children as you don’t understand how Wibsey or education works and you certainly don’t form part of the Wibsey ethos."