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Coronavirus: When are schools reopening? Coronavirus: Which schools are reopening for pupils?
(1 day later)
Some schools in England are due to reopen from Monday 1 June.Some schools in England are due to reopen from Monday 1 June.
Exact rules will vary, but head teachers have been working out how best to minimise risks for pupils, staff and parents.Exact rules will vary, but head teachers have been working out how best to minimise risks for pupils, staff and parents.
Which children are being prioritised?
Head teachers have been told to keep focussing on priority pupils - vulnerable children and those of critical workers - across all year groups.
The government has also published guidance for children with special educational needs or a disability.
Beyond these groups, nursery and pre-school children plus pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 will go back first in England.
But not every primary school will reopen. A BBC Breakfast survey of 150 councils revealed many are not guaranteeing this.
Of the 99 who responded, only 20 said they were advising schools to open more widely on 1 June:
Another 15 said they would not be advising schools to open their doors to more pupils:
Two-thirds (68) could not guarantee schools would reopen to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
How will school be different?How will school be different?
Plans include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings.Plans include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings.
Here are eight other things that could look different when children return: Here are seven other things that could look different:
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 asked 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:
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.
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.
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.
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 about the safety and impact of reopening English schools, 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 in the advice, and the group "cannot be clear" on the extent to which schools can reopen without increasing Covid-19 cases.
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.
But on Thursday, Mr Johnson confirmed that the government's five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met, which will allow more youngsters to return to school. The government acknowledges some schools will not be ready to open, but says the necessary five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met.
But the schools minister Nick Gibbs told MPs there is still no decision about the government's ambition to send all primary children in England back before the summer break.
What about secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?What about secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?
The government says secondary schools in England will be able to open doors to Year 10 and Year 12 from Monday 15 June. The government says secondary schools in England will be able to reopen 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. Students will be encouraged to travel separately and avoid 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. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish schools will reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, 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, while some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September.
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 to send children to school.
It is expected that this temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - will continue in England during the summer term. This temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - is expected to 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 - 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. Many teachers have offered a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise work.
Teachers have tried to continue a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise. To support home learning, the BBC launched a major programme of 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:
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