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Coronavirus: How will schools reopen fully? Coronavirus: Will schools fully reopen for the new term?
(3 days later)
Schools are set to reopen fully in England in September, prompting questions over whether other parts of society may need to close to lower coronavirus risk levels. Schools in Scotland are reopening on Tuesday, with those in the rest of the UK set to follow next month.
Guidance on reopening has been published for England. There are separate plans for Wales, Northern Ireland and also Scotland, where schools are scheduled to return on Tuesday. Separate guidance has been published for England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who will be expected to go back? Will schools be able to reopen full-time?
Nearly all children of legal school age will be expected to return to class full-time in September (August in Scotland). The Department for Education has said that in England all pupils, in all year groups, will be expected to return to class full-time at the start of the autumn term.
This includes those with special educational needs and disabilities, and those who have been shielding. And Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said there is little evidence of coronavirus being transmitted in schools.
Initially, schools were told to adopt a ''bubble'' approach, with children split into smaller, fixed groups that would go in on rotation. However, the Association of School and College Leaders union has said government guidance is unclear.
But guidance now suggests all pupils should attend school full-time. It said schools were having to make their own plans for a coronavirus spike, and if that happened then students might have to be taught on a week-on, week-off basis.
What will schools have to do?
The government has set out a system of controls for schools and said the following four points must happen in all schools, all the time.
It also wants schools to minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible.
How will the school day work?
Schools are expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum when they return, but the school day may look different to previous years.
Schools are also being asked to:
Do I have to send my child back?Do I have to send my child back?
Attendance will be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term. Attendance will be mandatory again from the autumn term, unless pupils or a close contact develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.
Head teachers will be told to follow up pupils' absence and issue sanctions, including fines in some cases. Head teachers will follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines.
Pupils must self-isolate and not attend school if they - or a close contact - develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. Shielding has been paused, but at times some children may shield for longer because of higher local rates of coronavirus.
Shielding has now been paused, but there may be occasions when some children are advised to shield for longer because of higher rates of coronavirus in their local area.
Children who remain under the care of a specialist health professional should discuss their ongoing care before September.
Could schools close again?Could schools close again?
A whole school closure "will not generally be necessary" unless advised by health officials.A whole school closure "will not generally be necessary" unless advised by health officials.
If a school has a suspected coronavirus outbreak, teachers will liaise with local health teams.If a school has a suspected coronavirus outbreak, teachers will liaise with local health teams.
A mobile testing unit may arrive - focusing first on those in the affected child or teacher's class, followed by their year group, and then the whole school if necessary.A mobile testing unit may arrive - focusing first on those in the affected child or teacher's class, followed by their year group, and then the whole school if necessary.
If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.
Is there a link between opening schools and closing pubs? Could pubs close so schools can open?
Rising coronavirus infections suggest England is "near the limit" of opening up, the Chief Medical Officer has warned, meaning we may need to make trade-offs to ensure children can safely return to school in September. Rising coronavirus infections suggest England is "near the limit" of opening up, the chief medical officer has warned.
Elements of lockdown easing have already been delayed, and some scientists advising the government have suggested pubs or other activities may need to temporarily close again. This means there may be trade-offs, such as closing pubs, to ensure children can safely return to school.
Prof Graham Medley told the BBC that reopening schools would ''reconnect lots of households', so closing other networks may be required, and that was ''a matter of prioritising''. He asked: ''Do we think pubs are more important than schools?"Prof Graham Medley told the BBC that reopening schools would ''reconnect lots of households', so closing other networks may be required, and that was ''a matter of prioritising''. He asked: ''Do we think pubs are more important than schools?"
How will the school day work?
Schools are expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum when they return.
They will be asked to minimise the number of contacts each pupil has during the day, by keeping classes or whole year groups apart in separate "protective bubbles" rather than practising individual social distancing.
By law, schools must revisit and update their risk assessments before the autumn term starts, considering any extra measures needed.
Schools must:
The government expects school kitchens to be open from September.
What about getting to and from school?What about getting to and from school?
There may be staggered start and finish times to keep groups apart - although that should not reduce the amount of overall teaching time. There may be staggered start and finish times to keep groups apart and walking or cycling to school will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates or go on site without an appointment.
Walking or cycling to school will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates or go on site without an appointment.
Dedicated school transport services will be asked to:Dedicated school transport services will be asked to:
Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival.Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival.
What about breakfast or after-school clubs?What about breakfast or after-school clubs?
If possible these should resume in September, but the government acknowledges it will be "logistically challenging" and may take some schools longer.If possible these should resume in September, but the government acknowledges it will be "logistically challenging" and may take some schools longer.
Children should ideally stay within their year groups or bubbles - but if this can't be done, then schools should use "small, consistent groups" to minimise infection risk.Children should ideally stay within their year groups or bubbles - but if this can't be done, then schools should use "small, consistent groups" to minimise infection risk.
What else does the government say?What else does the government say?
Pupils should:Pupils should:
Ofsted inspections will remain suspended for the autumn term - but schools may be visited to assess how the new arrangements are working.Ofsted inspections will remain suspended for the autumn term - but schools may be visited to assess how the new arrangements are working.