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Coronavirus: Will schools be able to reopen in June? Coronavirus: When are schools reopening?
(6 days later)
Plans are being made for how schools will start to reopen. Some schools in England are due to reopen from Monday 1 June. But which pupils can expect to be back in the classroom - and what about the rest?
However, there is disagreement in England over whether children might be returning too soon, and how schools can be made safe. What will the school day be like?
Which local authorities are opening schools? Every school is different and exact rules will vary - but head teachers have been working out how best to minimise risks for pupils, staff and parents. Plans include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings.
A decision is widely expected on 28 May as to whether schools will reopen to more pupils in England on 1 June. The Department for Education has issued general guidance and additional details for primary schools.
The plan is for nursery and pre-school, and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary school to resume first. Pupils should
However, a BBC Breakfast survey of 150 councils revealed many are not guaranteeing this. Parents should
If any pupils or staff - or anyone they live with - develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be advised to stay away from school.
Which school years are going back?
The plan is for nursery and pre-school-age children - plus Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 - to go back first in England.
But not every primary school will be opening. 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? Which children will be prioritised?
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that schools in Scotland will open on 11 August - the beginning of the autumn term. Head teachers have been told to focus first on providing places for priority pupils - vulnerable children and those of critical workers - in all year groups.
They will use what the first minister described as a "blended model", combining part-time study in class, with some learning at home. Previously, critical workers were being urged to send their children to school as only a last resort - but attendance is now "strongly encouraged".
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". The government has also published guidance for children who may have special educational needs or a disability.
In Northern Ireland, schools are not expected to reopen before September. Is it safe to send my child to school?
How safe is it to reopen schools?
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.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.
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. 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.
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.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.
Speaking before the Sage documents were published, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said England's schools were safe to reopen. Teachers' unions have warned it is not safe to allow more children into primary schools. And on Sunday, Boris Johnson accepted some schools would not be ready to open.
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. Now the government must say whether its five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met, which would then allow more youngsters to return to school.
How will schools reopen? What about secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?
The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools in England. The government hopes secondary schools in England will be able to open doors to Year 10 and Year 12 from Monday 15 June.
It says they should: But only a quarter of pupils from those years will be allowed in school at any one time.
In addition, children will be discouraged from taking home things like books. Pupils will be encouraged to avoid mixing with each other on journeys to and from school - and to walk or cycle rather than use public transport.
Teaching of vulnerable children and those of critical workers in all year groups will continue.
What about the rest of the UK?
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says schools there will open on 11 August - the beginning of the autumn term - using a blended model, with some continued home-learning.
Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June. Its education minister has said schools will return only when it is "the right time and it is the right thing to do".
Some pupils in Northern Ireland will return to school in late August, with a phased return for the remainder.
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.
Some children - those deemed vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers - have continued to attend school during the lockdown. It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term.
As of 14 May, about 231,000 children are attending school in England - representing 2.4% of pupils who normally attend. As of 22 May, about 244,000 children were attending school in England - that's 2.6% of the total number of 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. That figure included 75,000 "vulnerable" children - which the Department for Education estimates to be 15% of all young people in that category.
What's happening in other countries?What's happening in other countries?
How are children currently being educated at home? What if my child will still be learning at home?
Schools have tried to continue a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise. "No-one expects parents to act as teachers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school would," says the government advice - adding that schools remain responsible for children's education.
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. Teachers 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.
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?
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: