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PM on track to begin phased return of schools, colleges and nurseries from 1 June

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

From 1 June schools, colleges and nurseries are still set to open to more children says @BorisJohnson, despite Independent Sage report warnings 

Schools, colleges and nurseries across England remain on track to open to more children from 1 June, the Prime Minister confirmed in a speech today (24 May 2020).

Primary schools will welcome back children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, while nurseries and other early years providers will begin welcoming back children of all ages.

Secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges will also provide face-to-face contact for Year 10, Year 12 and equivalent 16-19 further education students to help them prepare for exams next year. It is expected this will begin from 15 June, with around a quarter of these secondary students in at any point.

The Prime Minister today praised teachers, childcare workers and support staff for the brilliant work they have been doing throughout the pandemic.

This includes providing remote education for those not in school, as well as continuing to provide face-to-face education for the children of priority groups, including vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

He also acknowledged that some schools may not be able to reopen immediately, and committed the government to continuing to work with the sector to ensure any schools experiencing difficulties are able to open as soon as possible:

“In line with our roadmap setting out how the UK will adjust its response to the virus, our approach to schools remains a cautious, phased one. It is also broadly in line with other European countries.

“We continue to consider all the evidence, as we said we would, and will continue to work with schools, teachers and unions over the coming week before making a final decision.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er09g2LdRmw

It also remains the case that schools will only reopen to more children if the government’s five tests are met by Thursday 28 May.

In the coming days, the Prime Minister will set out the government’s progress in meeting these five key tests, which are:

  1. Protect the NHS’s ability to cope. We must be confident that we are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK
  2. See a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates from COVID-19 so we are confident that we have moved beyond the peak
  3. Reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board
  4. Be confident that the range of operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand
  5. Be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS

Today’s announcement comes after a constructive period of consultation with schools, teachers and unions, led by the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

Clear, detailed guidance has been published by the Department for Education on how schools can open in a way which is safe for children, teachers and parents.

While DfE recognise that full social distancing may not be possible, their guidance sets out a range of measures to protect children and staff.

This includes:

  • reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with others
  • staggered break and lunch times, as well as drop offs and pickups
  • increasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the used of shared items and utilising outdoor space

All children and staff, and their families, will also have access to testing if they display symptoms. This will enable children and staff to get back to school if they test negative, and if they test positive a test and trace approach can be taken.

Children will also be encouraged not to travel on public transport where possible, in line with the advice to the wider population.

Sector Response

Gavin Williamson 100x100Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“This has been a difficult time for the entire country. Education and childcare staff have stepped up to the challenge, making sure children and young people have continued to be supported throughout the past ten weeks.

“Our priority is the education and welfare of all children and young people across the country. That is why we want to start a phased wider opening of nurseries, school and colleges is informed by the best possible scientific and medical advice.

“We will continue to work with the sector to support them to prepare for wider opening and ensure all children and young people can continue to receive the best care, education and training possible.”

Layla Moran100x100Bringing schools back a bid to distract from his scandal-hit spin doctor-in-chief, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said:

“Parents, children and teaching staff are worried about the threat of coronavirus and need reassurances ahead of reopening schools.

“Despite the concerns, the Prime Minister seems intent on rushing to bring schools back in a bid to distract from his scandal-hit spin doctor-in-chief.

“The concession to give some secondary school children contact with their teachers from 15 June also highlights the failure to push down the R number. The public deserve answers.”

KevinCourtney100x100Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“The NEU does not agree that it would be right for primary schools to open more widely on June 1st.  

“We once again call on the Government to engage meaningfully with the education unions on these matters.

“We stand ready to talk to the Government about how our five tests can be met and then how we can then proceed to a safe wider re-opening of schools.”

Sir David King 100x100

The Independent SAGE group have modelled specific risks and they say the risks to children staff and others could be halved by delaying opening to June 15 and reduced yet further by later dates.

Sir David King, of the Independent Sage group said on Friday:

“It is clear from the evidence we have collected that 1 June is simply too early to go back, by going ahead with this dangerous decision, the government is further risking the health of our communities and the likelihood of a second spike.”‬


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