The plan for children of all year groups to be back in primary schools by the summer has been dropped by the Government.
Education Secretray Gavin Williamson has now said that a phased and cautious approach to the return to school would not involve all pupils attending class by the end of this term.
Headteachers had warned a few weeks ago that it would be impractical to have every child back in school as well as practising social distancing. At present, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 have begun attending school in ’bubbles’ of no more than 15 children who are taught and play separately to each other.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has welcomed the chance for councils and local schools to have flexibility over the decision to expand the number of pupils before the summer holidays.
’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,’ said Cllr Judith Blake, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board.
’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.
’As councils will continue to play a key role in moving the country forward, it is important that they have the capacity and necessary data to improve the Test and Trace programme.
’It is also vital that the Government works closely with councils to ensure the powers can be brought in to manage outbreaks in places like schools, care homes, businesses and communities if new COVID-19 clusters emerge.’