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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says it is 'vitally important' children return to class Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says it is 'vitally important' children return to class
(about 1 hour later)
It is "vitally important" children go back to school, with the life chances of a generation at stake, Boris Johnson has said in a message to parents.It is "vitally important" children go back to school, with the life chances of a generation at stake, Boris Johnson has said in a message to parents.
As the autumn term begins in Northern Ireland, the prime minister said the risk of contracting coronavirus at schools across the UK was "very small".As the autumn term begins in Northern Ireland, the prime minister said the risk of contracting coronavirus at schools across the UK was "very small".
He said missing any more school was "far more damaging" for children.He said missing any more school was "far more damaging" for children.
Meanwhile No 10 said it has "no plans" to follow Scotland in reviewing rules on wearing face coverings at school.Meanwhile No 10 said it has "no plans" to follow Scotland in reviewing rules on wearing face coverings at school.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move was in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) issuing guidance saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move was in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) issuing guidance saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks.
But a Downing Street spokesman said no such review was planned for England's schools, adding: "We are conscious of the fact that [face masks] would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils."But a Downing Street spokesman said no such review was planned for England's schools, adding: "We are conscious of the fact that [face masks] would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils."
Unions have said it is unclear whether staff or pupils can choose to wear face coverings. A further four deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test were recorded on Monday, the Department for Health said, taking the total to 41,433. There were also 853 new cases recorded.
Heads in England have called for more clarity on whether staff or pupils can choose to wear face coverings.
The Association of School and College Leaders' Geoff Barton said: "The guidance is silent on what schools should do if staff or pupils want to wear face coverings, or if there are circumstances in which they feel that face coverings might a useful additional measure."The Association of School and College Leaders' Geoff Barton said: "The guidance is silent on what schools should do if staff or pupils want to wear face coverings, or if there are circumstances in which they feel that face coverings might a useful additional measure."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the government was "not in a position where we're suggesting" secondary pupils or teachers should wear face coverings.Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the government was "not in a position where we're suggesting" secondary pupils or teachers should wear face coverings.
But he said "there are elements of discretion" shown in guidance for schools provided by Public Health England.But he said "there are elements of discretion" shown in guidance for schools provided by Public Health England.
Government guidance to schools in England says Public Health England does not recommend the use of face coverings in schools. "They are not required in schools as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups and misuse may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission," it said.
In Scotland, schools have already reopened. Some pupils in Northern Ireland returned to school on Monday, while term starts in England and Wales in September.In Scotland, schools have already reopened. Some pupils in Northern Ireland returned to school on Monday, while term starts in England and Wales in September.
Mr Johnson thanked school staff for spending the summer "making classrooms Covid-secure".Mr Johnson thanked school staff for spending the summer "making classrooms Covid-secure".
Citing comments from England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty, Mr Johnson said "nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school".Citing comments from England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty, Mr Johnson said "nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school".
He added, in a video message, it was the "best way" to help children with any mental health problems resulting from or exacerbated by lockdown.He added, in a video message, it was the "best way" to help children with any mental health problems resulting from or exacerbated by lockdown.
Prof Whitty said that children were more likely to be harmed by not returning to school next month than if they caught coronavirus.Prof Whitty said that children were more likely to be harmed by not returning to school next month than if they caught coronavirus.
He cited evidence of children "much less commonly" needing hospital treatment or becoming severely ill with coronavirus than adults.He cited evidence of children "much less commonly" needing hospital treatment or becoming severely ill with coronavirus than adults.
According to the Office for National Statistics' latest data on ages, there were 10 deaths recorded as "due to Covid-19" among those aged 19 and under in England and Wales between March and June - and 46,725 deaths among those aged 20 and over.According to the Office for National Statistics' latest data on ages, there were 10 deaths recorded as "due to Covid-19" among those aged 19 and under in England and Wales between March and June - and 46,725 deaths among those aged 20 and over.
And of the more than one million children who attended pre-school and primary schools in England in June, 70 children and 128 staff were infected in outbreaks of the virus, according to a Public Health England study published on Sunday.And of the more than one million children who attended pre-school and primary schools in England in June, 70 children and 128 staff were infected in outbreaks of the virus, according to a Public Health England study published on Sunday.
Coffee breaks 'risk factor'Coffee breaks 'risk factor'
It said most of the 30 outbreaks detected in that time had likely been caused by staff members infecting other staff or students, with only two outbreaks thought to involve students infecting other students.It said most of the 30 outbreaks detected in that time had likely been caused by staff members infecting other staff or students, with only two outbreaks thought to involve students infecting other students.
The study also suggested children who went to school during June were more likely to catch coronavirus at home than at school.The study also suggested children who went to school during June were more likely to catch coronavirus at home than at school.
Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, told BBC Breakfast the study should "reassure" teachers that transmission from students to teachers was rare.Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, told BBC Breakfast the study should "reassure" teachers that transmission from students to teachers was rare.
But she said the higher risk of staff-to-staff transmission meant teachers should remember "when it's their coffee break, and they get a well-earned rest in the day, to ensure that they maintain their social distancing, good hand hygiene, all those sorts of things while they have their break, because that does seem to be a risk factor".But she said the higher risk of staff-to-staff transmission meant teachers should remember "when it's their coffee break, and they get a well-earned rest in the day, to ensure that they maintain their social distancing, good hand hygiene, all those sorts of things while they have their break, because that does seem to be a risk factor".
In Dundee, 22 coronavirus cases, most of them adult staff, have been linked to Kingspark School, although NHS Lanarkshire said there was no evidence to suggest transmission within the school, which will stay open.In Dundee, 22 coronavirus cases, most of them adult staff, have been linked to Kingspark School, although NHS Lanarkshire said there was no evidence to suggest transmission within the school, which will stay open.
Separate guidance for reopening schools has been published for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Separate guidance for reopening schools has been published for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Paul Jackson, head teacher of a primary school in east London, told the BBC that it would have been useful to have clearer guidance from the government for school leaders and additional funding to help to pay for extra cleaning and other resources.Paul Jackson, head teacher of a primary school in east London, told the BBC that it would have been useful to have clearer guidance from the government for school leaders and additional funding to help to pay for extra cleaning and other resources.
"Whether you are a very small school, with maybe just 70 pupils or whether you are a large school like us with 750 pupils, the guidance issued is exactly the same," he said."Whether you are a very small school, with maybe just 70 pupils or whether you are a large school like us with 750 pupils, the guidance issued is exactly the same," he said.
Parents 'have to behave ourselves'Parents 'have to behave ourselves'
Gemma Fraser says when eight-year-old daughter Poppy bounded out of bed on her first day back to primary school in Edinburgh, the children abided by the new rules - and it was the parents who had to be reminded about social distancing.Gemma Fraser says when eight-year-old daughter Poppy bounded out of bed on her first day back to primary school in Edinburgh, the children abided by the new rules - and it was the parents who had to be reminded about social distancing.
"The major change is they have to stagger the start times - so my daughter's group is the first in, at 8.40am, and the first to leave," Gemma says."The major change is they have to stagger the start times - so my daughter's group is the first in, at 8.40am, and the first to leave," Gemma says.
"The idea is that there aren't as many parents in at the same time. But it's actually been the parents who've been struggling with socially distancing the most - we've had several emails from the school reminding us to stand 2m apart. It feels like being back at school yourself.""The idea is that there aren't as many parents in at the same time. But it's actually been the parents who've been struggling with socially distancing the most - we've had several emails from the school reminding us to stand 2m apart. It feels like being back at school yourself."
Gemma says the playground has been segregated for dropping off and pick-up times so parents don't congregate. There are also separate entrance and exit points.Gemma says the playground has been segregated for dropping off and pick-up times so parents don't congregate. There are also separate entrance and exit points.
"We've missed seeing each other as well," she adds. "So it's only natural we want to catch up - but we have to behave ourselves.""We've missed seeing each other as well," she adds. "So it's only natural we want to catch up - but we have to behave ourselves."
The NEU, the UK's largest teaching union, said schools are being let down by the lack of a "plan B" as they prepare to reopen.The NEU, the UK's largest teaching union, said schools are being let down by the lack of a "plan B" as they prepare to reopen.
It said more staff, extra teaching space and greater clarity on what to do if there is a spike in cases was needed for schools to reopen safely.It said more staff, extra teaching space and greater clarity on what to do if there is a spike in cases was needed for schools to reopen safely.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said the responsibility of getting children back to school should not lie with trade unions, and that ministers had spent the past two weeks "totally pre-occupied with their own exams fiasco when they should've been out supporting schools and reassuring parents".Shadow education secretary Kate Green said the responsibility of getting children back to school should not lie with trade unions, and that ministers had spent the past two weeks "totally pre-occupied with their own exams fiasco when they should've been out supporting schools and reassuring parents".
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Johnson was "sorry for any distress that has been caused" by the way A-levels and GCSEs were graded as a result of the pandemic leading to exams being cancelled.A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Johnson was "sorry for any distress that has been caused" by the way A-levels and GCSEs were graded as a result of the pandemic leading to exams being cancelled.
"Our focus has been and will be ensuring that students can move onto the next phase and ensuring kids can get back to school next week," the spokesman added."Our focus has been and will be ensuring that students can move onto the next phase and ensuring kids can get back to school next week," the spokesman added.
Simon Kidwell, head teacher at Hartford Manor Primary and Nursery in Northwich, Cheshire, said any inconsistencies in schools' approach to the virus - such as one closing due to an outbreak, but another staying open - would "erode parental confidence".Simon Kidwell, head teacher at Hartford Manor Primary and Nursery in Northwich, Cheshire, said any inconsistencies in schools' approach to the virus - such as one closing due to an outbreak, but another staying open - would "erode parental confidence".
Dr Harries said, if a pupil tests positive the school should seek advice from the local Public Health England team, in line with government guidance for schools in England. She said "it may not always be necessary for a [classroom] bubble to go into isolation" and that it will depend on the school's "local circumstances".Dr Harries said, if a pupil tests positive the school should seek advice from the local Public Health England team, in line with government guidance for schools in England. She said "it may not always be necessary for a [classroom] bubble to go into isolation" and that it will depend on the school's "local circumstances".
Mr Williamson said the "key is making sure there is always a continuity of education" with teachers asked to educate children from home if a school is closed due to an outbreak.Mr Williamson said the "key is making sure there is always a continuity of education" with teachers asked to educate children from home if a school is closed due to an outbreak.
Closing schools in areas affected by local lockdowns would be a last resort, he added.Closing schools in areas affected by local lockdowns would be a last resort, he added.
The education secretary also said every school would have home testing kits for coronavirus by the time they reopen.The education secretary also said every school would have home testing kits for coronavirus by the time they reopen.
Kay Mountfield, head teacher at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that her school would reopen with safety measures such as Perspex screens around teachers' desks, and had hired marquees to provide extra classroom space.Kay Mountfield, head teacher at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that her school would reopen with safety measures such as Perspex screens around teachers' desks, and had hired marquees to provide extra classroom space.
But she echoed Mr Jackson's call for clarity and support, and urged the government to set up a dedicated helpline for educational leaders so that if schools need advice about keeping their sites safe, "we are not going to be sitting up at two in the morning, dialling 111, as we were before we went into lockdown".But she echoed Mr Jackson's call for clarity and support, and urged the government to set up a dedicated helpline for educational leaders so that if schools need advice about keeping their sites safe, "we are not going to be sitting up at two in the morning, dialling 111, as we were before we went into lockdown".