school
Lifestyle

Government confirms it’s ‘not able to welcome all primary children back’ to school before the summer holidays

There's a new plan in place for secondary schools, too…

| Updated:

Plans for all primary school pupils to return to school for four weeks before the summer holidays have been scrapped by the government.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson announced the news today (June 9).

Ministers had planned to have all primary school pupils back to school by June 21.

Plans for all primary school children to return before summer have been scrapped (Credit: Unsplash)

However, Williamson said the government had no choice but to drop its “ambition” for all primary school pupils to return before the summer holidays.

He said: “We continue to follow the best scientific advice and believe that this cautious, phased return is the most sensible course of action to take.”

Read more: Education boss warns entire school year could be compromised

Williamson added: “While we’re not able to welcome all primary children back for a full month before the summer, we continue to work with the sector on the next steps.”

He added they would “like to see schools who have the capacity to bring back more children in those smaller class sizes”.

We continue to work with the sector on the next steps.

And the government would like this to happen “before the summer holidays” if schools are able.

Brits react

Earlier, a source said the Department for Education was expected to “wind back a bit” on its pledge to get younger kids back in school.

Primary schools started to slowly open up and welcome reception, year 1 and year 6 on June 1.

Children have been placed in “protective bubbles” of no more than 15 per class. This is to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Kids turned away

However, space is an issue when it comes to socially-distanced classrooms.

Some children were even turned away at the school gates as teachers “weren’t ready” for them.

school
Secondary school classrooms could remain empty until September (Credit: Pexels)

The government source told The Sun: “Some schools don’t have enough space. We have always said we will listen to schools so we are likely to step back a bit on that.”

Read more: WIN £1,000 in our ‘Grab a Grand’ competition!

They added: “Some schools are bigger so are able to split kids up. But we understand not all will be able to do this.”

Secondary school update

When it came to secondary schools, Williamson also issued an update.

He said: “We will be working to bring all children back to school in September.”

Read more: Jane Moore issues heartbreaking Kate Garraway update

He added: “I know students who are due to take exams in 2021 will have experienced considerable disruption to their education this year. We are committed to doing all we can to minimise the effects of this.”

Williamson also said that exams will take place next year.

“Exams will take place next year and we are working with Ofqual and the exam boards on our approach to these,” he added.

school
Coronavirus testing is set to be rolled out at schools (Credit: Pexels)

Testing at schools

Health secretary Matt Hancock also revealed plans for coronavirus testing for teachers and pupils as classes resume.

He’s aiming to have up to 100 schools tested across England by the end of the summer term, with around 200 staff and children involved at each of those schools.

Head to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and tell us your thoughts.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor