Plans for children to return to school before summer holidays dropped by government

Primary school class (stock image)

Government plans for primary school children to return to school for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference on Monday (8 June), Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was the government’s plan for education to resume in September, whilst the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs he wants all children back in school in September and that exams “will take place next year.”

Primary school pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 began to return to school last week, in addition to the children who have been able to keep attending school during the pandemic lockdown – those who are vulnerable or a child of a key worker.

Last month, a letter was sent out in Rochdale saying that our schools wouldn’t reopen until safe for children and staff, noting that “this will differ in each school.”

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/134570/rochdale-boroughs-schools-wont-reopen-until-it-is-safe-for-children-and-staff

Gail Hopper, director of children’s services, and Kieran Heakin, portfolio holder for children’s services, added that, “We do not want parents to rely on a date suggested by government, that schools may be unable to meet. That is why we are sharing our approach, that is based on doing the right thing in the right way at the right time. We will ask schools to keep you all informed about developments and hope this will also make you as parents feel more confident.”

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, Councillor Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “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.”