Education News: Return to School

A "cautious, phased return" to school is the approach announced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson in the House of Commons. As part of this, primary pupils in England in Reception, Year 1, and 6 began returning to school from the 1st of June. This is in addition to the children of key workers and vulnerable children from all years who have consistently gone to school during the lockdown.

Mr. Williamson informed MPs that 70% of primary schools have opened for these pupils, however, primary pupils in other years are not due to return to school before September.

Secondary school pupils in England for pre-exam years 10 and 12 returned to school this week as of 15th June. This is in addition to the children of key workers and vulnerable children from all years who have consistently gone to school during the lockdown. Students will be taught by teachers in person for the first time since the lockdown began in March - allowing for the planning and organisation of essential exam preparation and summer revision plans for students.

However, only 25% of pupils will be allowed on school at any one time and students are encouraged to travel separately, avoiding public transport. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stated that England's secondary schools will not fully reopen before September.

Arrangements made by schools to reopen have varied. Many private schools such as Wycombe Abbey and Tonbridge which have begun reopening in accordance with the government guidelines are taking stringent measures to ensure that students are safe and well-cared for. The boarding schools association has released a COVID-SAFE charter to ensure that every boarding school in the UK ensures excellent conditions of learning and security.

The risk posed to children’s health from coronavirus is judged to be “minuscule” according to a government adviser. A recent article in the independent has stated that school closures do not appear to have a significant effect on the spread of infections during outbreaks such as Covid-19 as suggested by a recent study.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also pledged that the UK government would be doing "a huge amount of catch up for pupils over the summer". to ensure that quality of learning is maintained for all pupils and their academic progress remains on track.