Politics

Almost half of primary schools defy Government calls to reopen last week


Just of over half of primary schools in England opened their doors to more pupils last week, official statistics have revealed.

From last Monday schools, have been encouraged to reopen for pupils in nursery, reception, primary one and primary six.

But teachers unions, head teachers, and parents warned that the move was happening too quickly and schools were not ready to take pupils back.

Government stats published today have revealed that around half of primary schools in England reopened to more children last week.

The pupil attendance rate in nursery and primary schools was 11% on Thursday last week.

While that figure takes into account the years that are not yet allowed back to school, it also suggests that take up among parents allowed to return their children to school is relatively low.

School attendance is just at 11% overall in primary and nursery schools

The Department for Education (DfE) figures show that 52% of education settings that normally accept at least one of these year groups were open to additional children on June 4.

More vulnerable pupils attended school in the last week.

While many have been eligible to attend school throughout the crisis alongside the children of key workers, take up of places had been low.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “It is encouraging to see the majority of primary schools open their doors to more pupils, and almost double the number of children now attending early years settings.

“This is still a difficult time for families and many feel anxious about their children going back – but I can reassure families, and those working in education settings, that the welfare of children and staff will continue to be at the heart of all our decisions.

“Families should also be reassured by the incredible work teachers and support staff are doing to adapt their settings and routines, while making sure schools and nurseries remain as welcoming as they have always been.”

It came as Ministers were set to ditch plans for other years to return to school before September.

Boris Johnson’s coronavirus ‘road map’ had set out as an ‘ambition’ that years 2, 3, 4 and 5 could return for four weeks – but the Education Secretary is expected to confirm that won’t be happening

Rather than schools being instructed to reopen for more year groups it’s understood it will be for schools to determine what capacity they have and make the best use of it.

Primary schools will still accept pupils from years 2, 3, 4 and 5 if they want to, and have the capacity under new safety rules.

However, those rules – which include half-sized classes of 15 and staggered breaks – will not be loosened, it’s understood.

Sources suggested the situation might still help parents who have two children in two different school years.

If a school has space under existing rules, they could offer to accept a child in years 2, 3, 4 or 5 to help that family.





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