Schools, colleges and nurseries across England remain on track to
open to more children from 1 June, the Prime Minister confirmed
today.
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.
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 tests, which are:
Today’s announcement comes after a constructive period of
consultation with schools, teachers and unions, led by the
Education Secretary .
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 we recognise that full social distancing may not be
possible, our 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.
Education Secretary 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.”
