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First day back at school has 'gone well', say heads | First day back at school has 'gone well', say heads |
(32 minutes later) | |
First day back at school in Doncaster, but there are now face masks in classrooms | First day back at school in Doncaster, but there are now face masks in classrooms |
The first day back at school for millions of children in England has "gone well", say head teachers. | The first day back at school for millions of children in England has "gone well", say head teachers. |
They are reporting high levels of take-up of Covid tests and compliance with new rules on wearing masks in secondary school classrooms. | They are reporting high levels of take-up of Covid tests and compliance with new rules on wearing masks in secondary school classrooms. |
Primary schools have opened in full, but most secondary schools are phasing a return to allow time for Covid tests. | Primary schools have opened in full, but most secondary schools are phasing a return to allow time for Covid tests. |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it as a "big day and an emotional day" for families. | Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it as a "big day and an emotional day" for families. |
At a Downing Street press conference he thanked parents for teaching their children at home: "We all know that the burden has disproportionately fallen on women - often holding down jobs and providing childcare at the same time." | At a Downing Street press conference he thanked parents for teaching their children at home: "We all know that the burden has disproportionately fallen on women - often holding down jobs and providing childcare at the same time." |
The latest coronavirus figures for the UK show: | The latest coronavirus figures for the UK show: |
A decline in the number testing positive, with a daily figure of 4,712, and over the past seven days 41,225 - down by 26% | A decline in the number testing positive, with a daily figure of 4,712, and over the past seven days 41,225 - down by 26% |
For deaths within 28 days of a positive test, the daily figure is 65 and 1,441 in the past seven days - down by 34% | For deaths within 28 days of a positive test, the daily figure is 65 and 1,441 in the past seven days - down by 34% |
There were 688 patients admitted to hospital, 5,416 over the past seven days - down by 30% | There were 688 patients admitted to hospital, 5,416 over the past seven days - down by 30% |
22,377,255 people have been vaccinated with a first dose. | 22,377,255 people have been vaccinated with a first dose. |
After more than two months of studying at home, pupils have gone back to the classroom - and an instant survey from the ASCL head teachers' union suggests attendance levels are "good" and Covid testing is going ahead as planned. | After more than two months of studying at home, pupils have gone back to the classroom - and an instant survey from the ASCL head teachers' union suggests attendance levels are "good" and Covid testing is going ahead as planned. |
Masks and testing | Masks and testing |
The snapshot of more than 700 secondary schools found take-up of Covid tests as being between 90% to 100% in more than half of schools, between 80% and 90% in a quarter. But in about one in 20 schools, take-up for testing was below 60% of pupils. | The snapshot of more than 700 secondary schools found take-up of Covid tests as being between 90% to 100% in more than half of schools, between 80% and 90% in a quarter. But in about one in 20 schools, take-up for testing was below 60% of pupils. |
The Covid tests, with swabs of nose and throat, are voluntary - and there had been warnings that getting parental consent had been the biggest difficulty. | The Covid tests, with swabs of nose and throat, are voluntary - and there had been warnings that getting parental consent had been the biggest difficulty. |
Secondary pupils will have three Covid tests in school | Secondary pupils will have three Covid tests in school |
Secondary pupils are asked to take three tests in school before switching to being tested twice a week at home. | Secondary pupils are asked to take three tests in school before switching to being tested twice a week at home. |
Head teachers also reported that in nearly three quarters of secondary schools, 90% of pupils were complying with wearing face masks in classrooms, where social distancing is not possible. | Head teachers also reported that in nearly three quarters of secondary schools, 90% of pupils were complying with wearing face masks in classrooms, where social distancing is not possible. |
"These early indications are very encouraging," said ASCL leader Geoff Barton. | "These early indications are very encouraging," said ASCL leader Geoff Barton. |
Parents not giving consent for Covid tests | Parents not giving consent for Covid tests |
How are schools reopening around the UK? | How are schools reopening around the UK? |
Teachers to decide grades for cancelled exams | Teachers to decide grades for cancelled exams |
Although "strongly recommended" by the government, it is not compulsory for pupils to wear masks. | Although "strongly recommended" by the government, it is not compulsory for pupils to wear masks. |
Children's Minister Vicky Ford said some students might be "very anxious and nervous" about them. | Children's Minister Vicky Ford said some students might be "very anxious and nervous" about them. |
Testing but no exams | Testing but no exams |
This fourth big return to school in England since the start of the pandemic comes with questions about catching up on missed lessons, young people's wellbeing and a replacement exam system. | This fourth big return to school in England since the start of the pandemic comes with questions about catching up on missed lessons, young people's wellbeing and a replacement exam system. |
Pupils in Norfolk lining up for their first day back | Pupils in Norfolk lining up for their first day back |
The government is considering measures to help pupils, including longer school days and shorter holidays, according to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. | The government is considering measures to help pupils, including longer school days and shorter holidays, according to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. |
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, visiting a school in East London, said "the government may need to look more closely at testing arrangements as they're rolled out" to avoid "lots of groups or classes having to self-isolate". | Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, visiting a school in East London, said "the government may need to look more closely at testing arrangements as they're rolled out" to avoid "lots of groups or classes having to self-isolate". |
View from a school: "It's nice to see my friends" | View from a school: "It's nice to see my friends" |
At Bexleyheath Academy in south-east London, pupils were returning on Monday morning with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, reports Jeanette Long. | At Bexleyheath Academy in south-east London, pupils were returning on Monday morning with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, reports Jeanette Long. |
Tomisin, 15, told the BBC: "I just know that I'm ready for school, because it's been quite a long time being at home doing online school. It's nice to see my friends and people that I used to talk to a lot." | Tomisin, 15, told the BBC: "I just know that I'm ready for school, because it's been quite a long time being at home doing online school. It's nice to see my friends and people that I used to talk to a lot." |
Tomisin is glad to get back to school | Tomisin is glad to get back to school |
Tomisin feels she has missed some parts of her learning, but is "just hoping I can do my best" in upcoming tests. | Tomisin feels she has missed some parts of her learning, but is "just hoping I can do my best" in upcoming tests. |
Joseph, 15, says he is glad to get back to school as it will be easier to work than at home: "The telly, phone, family - it's really easy to get distracted. | Joseph, 15, says he is glad to get back to school as it will be easier to work than at home: "The telly, phone, family - it's really easy to get distracted. |
"At home I've been able to do all my assignments, but there are a lot of distractions." | "At home I've been able to do all my assignments, but there are a lot of distractions." |
But he was a bit nervous about taking a Covid test: "The whole process is a bit nerve-racking." | But he was a bit nervous about taking a Covid test: "The whole process is a bit nerve-racking." |
Joseph was nervous about doing the Covid test | Joseph was nervous about doing the Covid test |
Vic, 15, is also glad to be back in school: "I am very excited to be back, but there obviously is that bit of nervousness. But I feel safe and I know that the school will put my best interests first." | Vic, 15, is also glad to be back in school: "I am very excited to be back, but there obviously is that bit of nervousness. But I feel safe and I know that the school will put my best interests first." |
She says wearing a mask can be difficult but accepts the new guidelines. | She says wearing a mask can be difficult but accepts the new guidelines. |
"It is tricky because you want to take it off and you want to be able to get a bit of ventilation and you want to be able to talk to the teacher without having to think about the mask. | "It is tricky because you want to take it off and you want to be able to get a bit of ventilation and you want to be able to talk to the teacher without having to think about the mask. |
Vic and her mum are ready for "a bit of routine" | Vic and her mum are ready for "a bit of routine" |
"But, if we've got to do it then we've got to do it - it's the guidelines so we've got to just abide by it." | "But, if we've got to do it then we've got to do it - it's the guidelines so we've got to just abide by it." |
Vic's mother Alison says the school has done everything it can to make the premises safe. | Vic's mother Alison says the school has done everything it can to make the premises safe. |
"So I'm happy that's she's happy and is ready to return - I think we all need a little bit of normality back in our lives and a bit of routine, so it's good that we've got to this stage I think." | "So I'm happy that's she's happy and is ready to return - I think we all need a little bit of normality back in our lives and a bit of routine, so it's good that we've got to this stage I think." |
Jules White, head of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex, said the return brought a mix of "immense relief tied to a little apprehension" and meeting friends would be as important for pupils as getting back to learning. | Jules White, head of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex, said the return brought a mix of "immense relief tied to a little apprehension" and meeting friends would be as important for pupils as getting back to learning. |
In his school of 1,500 pupils, testing began last week and the phased return will stretch into next week. | In his school of 1,500 pupils, testing began last week and the phased return will stretch into next week. |
The PM says the work of teachers and parents juggling home-school has been "astonishing" | The PM says the work of teachers and parents juggling home-school has been "astonishing" |
Ryedale School in Nawton, North Yorkshire, tested all its pupils last week and all year groups will return to face-to-face teaching from Monday. | Ryedale School in Nawton, North Yorkshire, tested all its pupils last week and all year groups will return to face-to-face teaching from Monday. |
Parents supporting | Parents supporting |
Primary schools have opened for all pupils - but they will not have to take Covid tests or wear masks. | Primary schools have opened for all pupils - but they will not have to take Covid tests or wear masks. |
The challenge is to "support pupils socially and emotionally, not just academically", said Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers. | The challenge is to "support pupils socially and emotionally, not just academically", said Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers. |
Queuing for Covid tests at the Harris Academy Beckenham | Queuing for Covid tests at the Harris Academy Beckenham |
UK chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty has said "everything is strongly in favour" of pupils returning to school - with extra safety measures in place, such as testing, the wider use of masks and an early "natural firebreak" of the Easter holidays. | UK chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty has said "everything is strongly in favour" of pupils returning to school - with extra safety measures in place, such as testing, the wider use of masks and an early "natural firebreak" of the Easter holidays. |
A survey of 6,000 parents from the Institute for Fiscal Studies found widespread support for the return to school - with nine in 10 saying they would have sent their children back even if it had not been compulsory. | A survey of 6,000 parents from the Institute for Fiscal Studies found widespread support for the return to school - with nine in 10 saying they would have sent their children back even if it had not been compulsory. |
But two-thirds of parents were "concerned that their child has lost out on learning". | But two-thirds of parents were "concerned that their child has lost out on learning". |
Catch-up classes | Catch-up classes |
But for many pupils, apart from one day in January before the lockdown, this will be the first week back in school this year. | But for many pupils, apart from one day in January before the lockdown, this will be the first week back in school this year. |
The ambition is that this fourth return - following the short-lived attempt in January and returns last June and September - will be the last needed. | The ambition is that this fourth return - following the short-lived attempt in January and returns last June and September - will be the last needed. |
The government has appointed Sir Kevan Collins as an "education recovery commissioner", who will begin the process of helping pupils make up for the disruption and lost time in school. | The government has appointed Sir Kevan Collins as an "education recovery commissioner", who will begin the process of helping pupils make up for the disruption and lost time in school. |
The latest lockdown has seen the cancellation of A-level, GCSE and vocational exams, and pupils will return to study for a new system based on teachers' grades. | The latest lockdown has seen the cancellation of A-level, GCSE and vocational exams, and pupils will return to study for a new system based on teachers' grades. |
Ofsted inspectors have warned that disadvantaged children are more likely to have been adversely affected - and the government has announced £1.7bn to support catch-up schemes, such as tutoring and summer clubs. | Ofsted inspectors have warned that disadvantaged children are more likely to have been adversely affected - and the government has announced £1.7bn to support catch-up schemes, such as tutoring and summer clubs. |
Video diary: Triplets return to school | |
There have been concerns about children's mental health during the pandemic - and a study by researchers at the universities of Essex, Surrey and Birmingham reports a "significant rise in emotional and behavioural difficulties". | There have been concerns about children's mental health during the pandemic - and a study by researchers at the universities of Essex, Surrey and Birmingham reports a "significant rise in emotional and behavioural difficulties". |
In Scotland, younger primary pupils went back last month - with more primary and secondary years returning from 15 March. | In Scotland, younger primary pupils went back last month - with more primary and secondary years returning from 15 March. |
In Wales, younger primary pupils went back last month, with further primary and secondary groups back between 15 March and mid-April. | In Wales, younger primary pupils went back last month, with further primary and secondary groups back between 15 March and mid-April. |
In Northern Ireland, younger primary pupils are returning on 8 March, with some secondary years starting 22 March. | In Northern Ireland, younger primary pupils are returning on 8 March, with some secondary years starting 22 March. |
England's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the return to school would be a "moment of joy" when students would get back to their teachers and friends. | England's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the return to school would be a "moment of joy" when students would get back to their teachers and friends. |
"I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been with some children in class and most at home, but I do know how important it is for all children to be back in school, not only for their education but for their mental health and wellbeing," said Mr Williamson. | "I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been with some children in class and most at home, but I do know how important it is for all children to be back in school, not only for their education but for their mental health and wellbeing," said Mr Williamson. |