Waltham Forest schools have been advised to close their doors to almost all children as the borough faces “very serious” Covid rates.

Council leader Clare Coghill confirmed on Monday (December 14) the council was “recommending” schools close except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

The council's decision contradicts the Government's warning for schools not to close early.

Neighbouring Redbridge Council also said it would support schools wanting to close early for Christmas and switch to online learning. But Greenwich and Islington councils rowed back on their advice for pupils to be taught online in the last few days of term.

Read more: Redbridge Council will support schools closing early for Christmas despite threats

Waltham Forest initially fared well during the second wave but now has a rate of infection more than 400 per 100,000 and around 200 new people testing positive each day.

The recommendation to close does not include colleges. On Monday, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Waltham Forest College to see students receive new “lateral flow tests”.

Cllr Clare Coghill said on Monday the borough “now has some of the highest rates of Covid-19 anywhere in the country”, noting 1,307 people tested positive last week.

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Waltham Forest Council's advice contradicts the Government's warning for schools not to close early. Photo: PA

She said: “This is a critical time and we believe that we need decisive action to control the spread of the virus in Waltham Forest.

“We have been speaking with primary and secondary school headteachers and teachers’ unions across the borough. 

“With their support we are recommending that all schools move to online learning and only remain open for key workers’ and vulnerable children. 

“We think that this should be done as soon as possible in order to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Schools can choose not to follow the advice from the council. One parent and teacher, Victoria Jech, confirmed Leytonstone School has already made the decision to close.

Read more: Live updates as Government to review Covid tiers

She tweeted: “I am grateful that Leytonstone School have made this decision. 

“It places the well-being of all at the centre for both students, staff and our community and the online provision for my daughter in Year 10 has been excellent.”

Cllr Coghill recognised that the decision to close would not be taken lightly, adding: “We recognise the disruption this will cause children and their parents and guardians.”

However, she said a combination of the borough’s increasing infection rates and the relaxed restrictions around Christmas “makes the risk of infection particularly high”.

She added that the council had been “working with the Government to increase the amount of testing in the borough” and was keen for children over 11 and their carers to be tested.

On Monday (December 14), deputy leader Cllr Clyde Loakes and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Waltham Forest College, which has more than 10,000 students, to see students receive new “lateral flow tests”.

The new tests are done in less than an hour and do not require processing in a lab.