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Coronavirus: When are schools reopening? Coronavirus: When are schools reopening?
(about 2 hours later)
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? Some schools in England are due to reopen from Monday 1 June.
What will the school day be like? Exact rules will vary, but head teachers have been working out how best to minimise risks for pupils, staff and parents.
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. How will school be different?
The Department for Education has issued general guidance and additional details for primary schools. Plans include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings.
Pupils should: Here are eight other things that could look different when children return:
Parents should:
If any pupils or staff - or anyone they live with - develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be advised to stay away from school.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?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.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.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.
Which children will be prioritised?Which children will be prioritised?
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.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.
Previously, critical workers were being urged to send their children to school as only a last resort - but attendance is now "strongly encouraged".Previously, critical workers were being urged to send their children to school as only a last resort - but attendance is now "strongly encouraged".
The government has also published guidance for children who may have special educational needs or a disability.The government has also published guidance for children who may have special educational needs or a disability.
Is it safe to send my child to school?Is it safe to send my child to school?
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.
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.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.
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.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.
What about secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?What about secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?
The government hopes secondary schools in England will be able to open doors to Year 10 and Year 12 from Monday 15 June.The government hopes secondary schools in England will be able to open doors to Year 10 and Year 12 from Monday 15 June.
But only a quarter of pupils from those years will be allowed in school at any one time.But only a quarter of pupils from those years will be allowed in school at any one time.
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.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.Teaching of vulnerable children and those of critical workers in all year groups will continue.
What about the rest of the UK?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.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".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.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.It is not currently compulsory for any parent 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.It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term.
As of 22 May, about 244,000 children were attending school in England - that's 2.6% of the total number of pupils.As of 22 May, about 244,000 children were attending school in England - that's 2.6% of the total number of pupils.
That figure included 75,000 "vulnerable" children - which the Department for Education estimates to be 15% of all young people in that category.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?
What if my child will still be learning at home?What if my child will still be learning at home?
"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."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.
Teachers have tried to continue a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise.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.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:
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: