Hundreds of thousands of children and young people across England
will reunite with their teachers and friends as schools and
colleges start to open their gates from today (Tuesday 1
September).
After months of hard work and dedication from school staff across
the country to implement protective measures first set out in
July, pupils will begin to be welcomed back into classrooms for
the autumn term.
Pupils will return to school environments with a ‘system of
controls’ in place to keep all pupils, teachers and staff safe by
minimising direct contacts and maintaining social distancing
wherever possible.
The new school term follows the unanimous backing for a full
return from the Chief Medical Officers across the four nations of
the UK in their recent consensus statement, highlighting that the
health risk posed by Covid-19 to children is extremely low and
noting the significant risk to young people’s wellbeing if they
are not back in school. A British Medical Journal study also said
that the risk of severe illness due to Covid for children was
‘vanishingly small’.
Last week the National Association of Head Teachers published
survey findings that highlighted 97 per cent of schools plan to
welcome all pupils full-time from the start of the autumn term
and will have the range of recommended safety measures in place.
The remaining 3 per cent have outlined that they will phase
students back or using transition periods to reopen more widely.
Education Secretary said:
“For many, today marks the first day of a new school year, with
thousands of children set to walk through their school gates
again as schools across the country begin to reopen for full-time
education for all pupils.
“I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have
been but I do know how important it is for children to be back in
school, not only for their education but for their development
and wellbeing too.
“But it is down to the sheer hard work of so many teachers and
school staff that from today pupils will be able to learn in
their classrooms together again. It has not been easy for parents
nor schools, but we could not have got to this point without your
support and I cannot say thank you enough for this.”
Today’s return for pupils follows the reopening of schools in
Leicestershire last week, with the Prime Minister visiting to see
first-hand the practical steps being taken to ensure the risk of
transmission is reduced.
The Education Secretary and Schools Minister have both been
visiting schools ahead of the new term and have praised some of
the innovative ways schools will be looking after children
including the use of cleaning stations, and staggered breaks,
keeping pupils in ‘bubbles’, social distancing and safety on
transport.
School term start dates will vary across the country, with
approximately 40 per cent schools expected to start term today,
and bringing teachers and pupils back to school over the coming
days.
It remains the Government’s priority to continue to support
schools, nurseries and colleges through the next few months,
continually guided by the best possible science and medical
advice.
Consistent with the latest Public Health England advice, strict
hygiene and cleaning protocols will be in place along with a
one-off PPE supply boost being distributed to schools for use in
the small number of instances where it is necessary.
All children will stay in groups or bubbles to reduce the risk of
spreading infection, and older children in particular will be
expected to follow social distancing guidelines. Face coverings
should also be worn in communal areas in secondary schools in any
areas with local lockdowns in place.
As the shielding advice for all adults and children was paused on
1 August, even the small number of pupils who remain on the
shielded patient list can also return to school, as can those who
have family members who were shielding.
Pupils are encouraged to walk, cycle or scoot to school but the
Government is also to providing an additional £40 million to
local authorities to increase home to school transport and ease
pressure on public transport.
Notes to Editors:
- The Education Secretary’s letter to parents can be found here:
https://m.facebook.com/116423535060106/posts/3227940467241715/?extid=gaER7ybIqOfilL5x&d=n
