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Coronavirus: When will schools reopen? Coronavirus: How will schools be able to reopen?
(1 day later)
It is hoped that some schools in England will open to more pupils from June. Plans are being made for how schools in England will start to reopen next month.
When - and how - will schooling return to anything approaching normal again? However, there is disagreement over whether children will be returning too soon and how schools can be made safe.
Will schools reopen before the summer holidays? When will schools reopen?
Possibly for some in England, yes. Ministers say schools should prepare to begin to open for more pupils from 1 June. In England, ministers say schools should prepare to begin to open for more pupils from 1 June.
This would be for very young children in nurseries and pre-schools, and primary school children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 - albeit with smaller class sizes. This would be for those in nursery and pre-school, Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school. At secondary school and college, Years 10 and 12 would return first.
The aim is to ensure the youngest children, and those preparing to move to secondary school, have maximum time with teachers. Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays.
From June, secondary schools and further education colleges in England should also prepare to begin some face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils, who have key exams next year. Is it safe to reopen schools?
The government says it wants all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible - though this will be kept under review. Young children are superspreaders of other diseases, such as flu, but so far appear to be at low risk of becoming very ill from coronavirus.
Wales's Education Minister Kirsty Williams has said schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June. However, nine education and teachers' unions have expressed concern about schools reopening next month - saying it was still too early to be safe.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said any return to school "might not be possible" before the summer holidays, which start at the end of June there. The unions called for a delay until a full testing regime was in place and said that "classrooms of four and five-year olds could become sources of Covid-19 transmission and spread".
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said it was unlikely that schools would return before the new academic year which - as in Scotland - begins a week or so earlier than in England and Wales. And the Department for Education's chief scientific adviser, Osama Rahman, said he had not assessed the safety guidance given to schools.
How will schools reopen?
The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools in England.
It says they should:
Scotland's largest teachers' union the EIS says the country will need to adopt "a new blended approach" to teaching and learning. This could include a combination of part-time learning at school and home or online working.
The Welsh government has set out five key principles which would enable schools to reopen. These include having guidance to support social distancing, managing attendance and wider protective actions.
In Northern Ireland, the education minister said "practical measures" like PPE for staff, social distancing at mealtimes and safety for school transport needed to be arranged.
Do I have to send my children to school?Do I have to send my children to school?
At present, it is not compulsory for key worker parents to send their children to school, and there are no fines for those who have not taken up the places available to them.At present, it is not compulsory for key worker parents to send their children to school, and there are no fines for those who have not taken up the places available to them.
It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue for all parents of any year groups going back in England during the summer term.It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue for all parents of any year groups going back in England during the summer term.
What about disadvantaged children?
Approximately 2% of pupils - those considered vulnerable and the children of critical workers - are attending school in person.Approximately 2% of pupils - those considered vulnerable and the children of critical workers - are attending school in person.
The government is urging teachers and local authorities to encourage more youngsters from these backgrounds to go to classes each day.The government is urging teachers and local authorities to encourage more youngsters from these backgrounds to go to classes each day.
How would a phased return work?
A phased return could mean that a few year groups would be the first to return to school, or that pupils would take turns to study at home and in school. This would allow schools to maintain some level of social distancing.
It might also mean staggering break times and putting limits on class sizes.
A phased return may also mean that some pupils will not return until the autumn term - or at least for anything like a regular timetable.
Why are schools closed?
Coronavirus rarely seems to affect children, and some academics have questioned whether school closures have had any impact on controlling the virus.
However, the government's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, responded that while schools were "not dangerous" for children during the pandemic, the decision to close them would slow the rise of infections.
On top of how to manage social distancing, any school seeking to reopen has to consider other questions:
What's happening in other countries?What's happening in other countries?
Denmark was the first European country to start allowing children up to the age of 11 back to school. Germany has also partially reopened schools for young children and those taking exams, with others to follow later in the term.Denmark was the first European country to start allowing children up to the age of 11 back to school. Germany has also partially reopened schools for young children and those taking exams, with others to follow later in the term.
Primary schools and nurseries in France will reopen on Monday, with schools for 11 to 15-year-olds following a week later. Schools for 15 to 18-year-olds will open in June.Primary schools and nurseries in France will reopen on Monday, with schools for 11 to 15-year-olds following a week later. Schools for 15 to 18-year-olds will open in June.
Schools in the Republic of Ireland will not reopen until August, while Italy and Spain are to keep their schools shut until September.Schools in the Republic of Ireland will not reopen until August, while Italy and Spain are to keep their schools shut until September.
What's the current situation?
Schools, nurseries and childminders in the UK are still providing care for children whose parents are key workers "critical to the Covid-19 response", and who cannot be safely cared for at home.
They are also providing care for children who are known to be vulnerable - those with a social worker, for example, or those with special educational needs.
The most recent figures (30 April) show that 191,000 children are currently attending school - 2% of those who normally attend. Of that figure, 58,000 are classed as vulnerable.
How are children currently being educated at home?How are children currently being educated at home?
Schools have tried to continue a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise.Schools have tried to continue a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise.
Educationalists say that parents should not be expected to do the teacher's job, but they can try to maintain a routine of learning and study habits - even if it's only for an hour or two a day.Educationalists say that parents should not be expected to do the teacher's job, but they can try to maintain a routine of learning and study habits - even if it's only for an hour or two a day.
To support home learning, the BBC has also launched a major programme of expanded educational content on its BBC Bitesize service, including regular daily lessons in English, Maths and other core subjects.To support home learning, the BBC has also launched a major programme of expanded educational content on its BBC Bitesize service, including regular daily lessons in English, Maths and other core subjects.
What about exams?What about exams?
Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school Sats national curriculum tests in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead.Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school Sats national curriculum tests in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead.
Exam watchdogs have been working together on alternative arrangements.Exam watchdogs have been working together on alternative arrangements.
Have you been affected by the school closures due to coronavirus? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the school closures due to coronavirus? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
When will children go back to school?When will children go back to school?
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: