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This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 Conservative Administration

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2020/05/07/school-reopening-covid19/

Schools reopening speculation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Schools

A child looking at a bunch of pencils - bought with school funding

Today's blog looks at continued speculation about how and when schools might reopen to all pupils.

Schools are closed to all but the children of critical workers and vulnerable children. The Secretary of State has been clear that this will remain the case until the scientific advice says it is safe to do otherwise.

The NEU has today (7 May) said it will be vital for the Government to gain the trust of parents before schools reopen to all pupils, while a survey from the charity Parentkind suggests 9 in 10 parents would be unhappy with schools reopening soon after lockdown ends.

Yesterday (6 May) there was speculation that an announcement would be made on reopening schools either today or over the weekend.

The Sun, Telegraph, Guardian, and Mirror all run pieces about schools reopening with different angles as outlined above.

Our position remains clear that no date has been set for the reopening of schools to all pupils.

A DfE spokesperson said:

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has not set a date for schools reopening.

Schools will remain closed, except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, until the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to re-open and the five tests set out by Government to beat this virus have been met.

We are also working closely with the sector as we consider how to reopen schools, nurseries and colleges and will ensure everyone has sufficient notice to plan and prepare.

 

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