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Coronavirus: Will schools fully reopen for the new term? Coronavirus: Does my child have to return to school?
(14 days later)
Schools in Scotland are reopening from Tuesday, with those in the rest of the UK set to follow next month. The prime minister has urged parents to send their children back to school for the autumn term.
So, how will the return to classes work?
Do I have to send my child back?
Schools in Scotland have now reopened, along with some schools in Northern Ireland. England and Wales are set to follow next month.
Children must return for the autumn term, unless they - or a close contact - develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.
Head teachers can follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines.
Shielding has been paused, but at times some children may shield for longer because of higher local rates of coronavirus.
Separate guidance has been published for England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Separate guidance has been published for England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How are schools in Scotland reopening?
Schools in the Borders and Shetland are opening on Tuesday, with most local authorities following on Wednesday.
Physical distancing among students will not generally be required, but safety measures such as one-way systems are in place.
Most councils have opted for a phased approach, for instance by having youngest pupils return first.
The Scottish government wants all schools fully open by 18 August.
Will schools be able to reopen full-time?
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.
And Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said there is little evidence of coronavirus being transmitted in schools.
However, the Association of School and College Leaders union has said government guidance is unclear.
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?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.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.It also wants schools to minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible.
How will the school day work?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 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:Schools are also being asked to:
Do I have to send my child back? What happens if there's an outbreak?
Attendance will be mandatory again from the autumn term, unless pupils or a close contact develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. A school is said to have a coronavirus outbreak if there are two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or a rise in the number of children off with suspected Covid-19.
Head teachers will follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines. If this happens, they must work with local health protection teams.
Shielding has been paused, but at times some children may shield for longer because of higher local rates of coronavirus. In some cases, these teams may recommend that a larger number of pupils self-isolate at home as a precaution - for instance, the year group.
Could schools close again? Where an outbreak in a school is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be dispatched there. Testing will first focus on the infected person's class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.
A whole school closure "will not generally be necessary" unless advised by health officials. However, government advice says that "whole school closure based on cases within the school will not generally be necessary, and should not be considered except on the advice of health protection 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.
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.
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.
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?"
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 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.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.
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.