England’s schools, colleges, and nurseries are scheduled to welcome back more children starting from 1 June 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on 24 May 2020.
Who’s Returning and When?
Primary schools will reopen for Reception, Year 1, and Year 6 pupils. Nurseries and early years providers will resume care for children of all ages. Secondary schools, sixth forms, and colleges will begin in-person lessons for Year 10 and Year 12 students from 15 June, to help them prepare for exams next year. To maintain safety, only about a quarter of these secondary students will attend at any one time.
Thanks to Teachers and Staff
The Prime Minister praised teachers, childcare workers, and support staff for their “brilliant work” during the pandemic, which included providing remote education and supporting vulnerable children as well as children of critical workers. Johnson acknowledged that some schools might not reopen immediately and pledged ongoing government support to assist any schools facing challenges in reopening.
Safety First: The Government’s Five Tests
The reopening depends on meeting five strict government tests by 28 May:
- Protect the NHS’s ability to cope with critical and specialist care.
- See a steady drop in COVID-19 death rates.
- Clear evidence from SAGE that infection rates are decreasing.
- Ensure testing capacity and PPE supplies meet demand.
- Prevent any measures that risk a second peak overwhelming the NHS.
The Prime Minister will update the public in the coming days on progress towards these tests.
School Safety Measures Laid Out
The Department for Education has published detailed guidelines to ensure the safety of children, teachers, and parents. These include smaller class sizes with children grouped to avoid mixing, staggered break, lunch, drop-off, and pick-up times, more frequent cleaning, reduced shared equipment, and increased use of outdoor spaces.
Testing will be available for children, staff, and their families if symptoms appear. Negative test results will allow students and staff to return, while positive results will trigger test-and-trace procedures. Children will also be encouraged to avoid public transport where possible.
Education Secretary Commends Staff
“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,” said the Education Secretary.
“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, schools, and colleges, informed by the best possible scientific and medical advice.”
“We will continue to work with the sector to support them in preparing for wider opening and ensure all children and young people can continue to receive the best care, education, and training possible.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
