How schools will change when they reopen to all pupils in September following Government announcement
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Many pupils in England have been unable to attend school since March, when the Government announced that schools would be closed to everyone except vulnerable children and those of key workers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Government plans to get all pupils to return to school in September, though some will have gone almost six months without sitting in a classroom.
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Hide AdSpeaking in the Commons on Thursday, July 2, Mr Williamson told MPs that ‘education recovery is critical for this generation’ of school children and that ‘returning to normal educational routines as quickly as possible is critical to our national recovery’.
The Education Secretary said the Government is working to ensure all pupils can return to schools and colleges full-time in September, and said: "With Covid-secure measures in place so they have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their full potential."
‘Covid-secure measures’ will see schools minimise contact between children, including grouping them in ‘bubbles’ and encouraging older children to distance.
He went on: "As a minimum, this will mean keeping whole year groups in schools and colleges separate.
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Hide Ad"This is in addition to the other protective measures we know are so important for infection control, such as regular cleaning and hand washing."
Mr Williamson also confirmed that the Government will provide all schools and colleges with a small number of Covid home testing kits for pupils and staff by the start of the autumn term.
He added: "All schools will have direct access to support and advice from their local Public Health England health protection team to deal with any cases that may occur.”
In terms of the curriculum, schools are expected to continue teaching a ‘broad and balanced’ range of subjects with exams expected to go ahead in summer 2021.
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Hide AdThe Government intends to see Ofsted inspections return from January 2021 and on the Government's financial support for schools, Mr Williamson saod: "Schools are held accountable for the outcomes they achieve with their funding including through Ofsted inspections and the Covid catch-up funding will be no exception to this."