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Coronavirus: Will schools be able to reopen in June? Coronavirus: Will schools be able to reopen in June?
(about 20 hours later)
Plans are being made for how schools will start to reopen.Plans are being made for how schools will start to reopen.
However, there is disagreement in England over whether children might be returning too soon, and how schools can be made safe.However, there is disagreement in England over whether children might be returning too soon, and how schools can be made safe.
Can schools reopen next month? Which local authorities are opening schools?
A decision will be made on 28 May as to whether nurseries and primary schools will reopen in England on 1 June. A decision is widely expected on 28 May as to whether schools will reopen to more pupils in England on 1 June.
Local councils and teaching unions are asking ministers to reconsider. The plan is for nursery and pre-school, and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school to resume first.
The plans are for nursery and pre-school, and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school to resume next month. At secondary school and college, Years 10 and 12 would return first. This is just a tiny fraction of the regular school population. However, a BBC Breakfast survey of 150 councils revealed many are not guaranteeing this.
Only 20 out of the 99 who responded said they were advising schools to open more widely on 1 June. These were:
Another 15 said they would not be advising schools to open their doors to more pupils. These were:
Two thirds (68) could not guarantee schools would reopen to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
What about the rest of the UK?
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that schools in Scotland will open on 11 August - the beginning of the autumn term.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that schools in Scotland will open on 11 August - the beginning of the autumn term.
Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays. They will use what the first minister described as a "blended model", combining part-time study in class, with some learning at home.
Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June. The education minister has said schools will only return when "it is the right time and it is the right thing to do".
In Northern Ireland, schools are not expected to reopen before September.
How safe is it to reopen schools?How safe is it to reopen schools?
There are differing views on this. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove says that while risk can never be eliminated, England's schools are safe to reopen.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove says England's schools are safe to reopen, but did say: "You can never eliminate risk." However, teaching unions have questioned whether schools will be safe enough.
However, at least 11 councils have expressed concern, and teaching union NASUWT is "unconvinced" it is "appropriate or practicable".
Young children so far appear to be at low risk of becoming very ill from coronavirus.Young children so far appear to be at low risk of becoming very ill from coronavirus.
Ultimately, the decision to reopen schools is likely to rest with headteachers and governors of individual schools.
How will schools reopen?How will schools reopen?
The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools in England.The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools in England.
It says they should:It says they should:
In addition, children will be discouraged from taking home things like books.In addition, children will be discouraged from taking home things like books.
Scottish schools will use what the first minister described as a "blended model", combining part-time study in class, with some learning at home. How many children are currently at school?
Wales's education minister has said schools will only return when "it is the right time and it is the right thing to do". Some school sites have remained open for vulnerable children, and those whose parents are key workers.
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.
Who is responsible for reopening schools?
Since they were closed in March, schools have been responsible for providing places for vulnerable children and children of key workers in England.
Local authorities are responsible for supporting schools and trusts to ensure that they can accommodate these pupils, plus eligible year groups, for a 1 June reopening.
They are also responsible for monitoring demand and capacity, supporting residential special schools and assessing the risks to pupils.
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.
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?
As of 14 May, about 231,000 children are attending school in England - representing 2.4% of pupils who normally attend.As of 14 May, about 231,000 children are attending school in England - representing 2.4% of pupils who normally attend.
That includes 73,000 children classed as vulnerable by schools. The Department for Education estimates this figure represents about 14% of all vulnerable pupils.That includes 73,000 children classed as vulnerable by schools. The Department for Education estimates this figure represents about 14% of all vulnerable pupils.
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, but it is not currently compulsory for any parents to send their children to school.
It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term.
What's happening in other countries?What's happening in other countries?
Schools in Denmark have reopened, as have some in Germany, and in France, although those in the Republic of Ireland, Italy and Spain will stay shut until after the holidays.Schools in Denmark have reopened, as have some in Germany, and in France, although those in the Republic of Ireland, Italy and Spain will stay shut until after the holidays.
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.
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: