Responding to the Government’s announcement to drop plans for all
primary school years in England to go back to school before the
end of term, Cllr , Chair of the LGA’s
Children and Young People Board, said:
“We are pleased that the Government has acted on our calls and
will give councils and local schools flexibility over the
decision to expand the number of pupils before the summer
holidays.
“Councils want all children to return to school but it is
imperative that pupils return to school only when it is safe for
them to do so and schools are best placed to make those decisions
based on their own individual circumstances.
“Where it has been safe to do so, councils have already been
working closely with local partners to increase attendance in
schools. However, many schools are already at full capacity
despite the low numbers of pupils returning due to the necessary
social distancing measures that are in place.
“As councils will continue to play a key role in moving the
country forward, it is important that they have the capacity and
necessary data to improve the Test and Trace programme. It is
also vital that the Government works closely with councils to
ensure the powers can be brought in to manage outbreaks in places
like schools, care homes, businesses and communities if new
COVID-19 clusters emerge.”
