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Coronavirus: Will schools be able to reopen in June? Coronavirus: Will schools be able to reopen in June?
(about 5 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.
Which local authorities are opening schools?Which local authorities are opening schools?
A decision is widely expected on 28 May as to whether schools will reopen to more pupils 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.
The plan is for nursery and pre-school, and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school to resume first.The plan is for nursery and pre-school, and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school to resume first.
However, a BBC Breakfast survey of 150 councils revealed many are not guaranteeing this.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: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: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.Two thirds (68) could not guarantee schools would reopen to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
What about the rest of the UK?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.
They will use what the first minister described as a "blended model", combining part-time study in class, with some learning at home.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".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.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?
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove says that while risk can never be eliminated, England's schools are safe to reopen. The risk of coronavirus to pupils in the classroom is "very, very small, but not zero", according to sources in the government's scientific advisory group, Sage.
However, teaching unions have called for a delay until a "full roll-out of a national test and trace scheme" and extra resources for cleaning, protective equipment and risk assessments. The group has published documents on the safety and impact of reopening schools in England, which also say teachers would not be at above average risk compared with other occupations.
Young children so far appear to be at low risk of becoming very ill from coronavirus. But there is much uncertainty throughout the advice, and the group "cannot be clear" on the extent schools could be reopened without leading to cases of Covid-19 taking off again.
Ultimately, the decision to reopen schools is likely to rest with head teachers and governors of individual schools. Speaking before the Sage documents were published, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said England's schools were safe to reopen.
However, teaching unions called for a delay until a "full roll-out of a national test and trace scheme" and extra resources for cleaning, protective equipment and risk assessments.
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.
Do I have to send my child to school?Do I have to send my child to school?
It is not currently compulsory for any parent to send their children to school, and it is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term.It is not currently compulsory for any parent to send their children to school, and it is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term.
Some children - those deemed vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers - have continued to attend school during the lockdown.Some children - those deemed vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers - have continued to attend school during the lockdown.
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.
What's happening in other countries?What's happening in other countries?
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: