Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that not all primary school children in England will be able to return to schools “for a full month before the summer”.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed the change of plan.
“While we are not able to welcome all primary children back for a full month before the summer, we continue to working with the sector on the next steps.”
Children that go to nursery, reception and Years 1 and 2 were able to go back with special class sizes in place last week, headteachers warned about the practical problems of having so many more pupils in schools while also having the space to maintain social distancing.
Over half of the primary schools in England received pupils from those year groups last week, Mr Williamson said.
He said that some schools in areas including the North West are worried about the R-rate.
He said that from 15 June, secondary school pupils in Years 10 and 12 will get ‘some face-to-face support’.
And that the Department for Education has published advice on hand-washing and social distancing, and safety remains his top priority.
There will also be a test and trace approach to schools, where pupils show symptoms of coronavirus.
Williamson says the government continues to work on the next steps so that those schools who can accept more children in reduced class sizes will be able to.
And the education secretary confirms that exams will take place next year.
