Coronavirus UK LIVE: Gavin Williamson sets out plan to reopen schools in September as deaths hit 43,906
EDUCATION Secretary Gavin Williamson has unveiled plans for a full return to the classroom at the beginning of the academic year including a £1bn "catch-up" package for schools.
All children and young people are to return to full-time education from September.
Gavin Williamson said today: “Education recovery is critical for this generation of school children turning to normal educational routines as quickly routine is critical to our national recovery too.”
The government guidance was published earlier today and schools have been told to overhaul the curriculum, stagger break times and group children into “bubbles” when they return to the classroom in September.
The Education Secretary also announced a massive £1billion package dedicated to help students catch up.
Meanwhile, pubs and restaurants are set to reopen outdoors in Wales from July 13, the Welsh Government has announced.
A phased return for businesses in the hospitality sector,including bars and cafes, will be given the go-ahead as long as coronavirus cases continue to fall in the country.
Wales' minister for international relations, Baroness Eluned Morgan, will set out the proposal at Thursday's daily press conference.
Now, the coronavirus death toll in the UK stands at 43,906 and the global toll reaches half a million.
Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates on coronavirus…
SCOTLAND DEATH TOLL
One more person died after testing positive for coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon announced today.
The total number of deaths in Scotland is now 2,487.
Ms Sturgeon said 18,264 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by five from 18,259 the previous day.
SCHOOL'S OUT
That concludes the Education Secretary's address in the Commons today.
Williamson has announced the latest Government guidelines for schools in England today.
The government guidance was published earlier today and schools have been told to overhaul the curriculum, stagger break times and group children into “bubbles” when they return to the classroom in September.
There will be no “dumbing down” of the curriculum in the next academic year and pupils will be taught a “full, broad and balanced curriculum” including arts and sports.
The Education Secretary also announced a massive £1billion package dedicated to help students catch up.
The £1bn includes a £650million as a catch-up premium and a further £350million will be for a national tutoring programme for the most disadvantaged.
Williamson took questions from MPs looking for assurances for the constituents who are worried about sending all pupils back to the classroom in September.
He said he has been meeting with trade unions weekly, that PHE has signed off the guidance published today and that the £1billion “catch-up” package is new money and doesn’t come from cuts.
Furthermore, Williamson announced that as long infection rates keep going down that from July 20 nurseries, childminders and other child care providers will no longer be required to place a limit on size of groups of children that can play together.
You can see the full guidance here
MUST GO SCHOOL
Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck asks Williamson where the science was from that advised that social distancing was no longer needed in schools.
The latest guidance published today says pupils will be grouped in 'bubbles' to limit the risk of transmission between year groups or classes.
This will get rid of the need for social distancing at all times in schools so all pupils are able to attend.
Williamson replied to the MP for South Shields question saying that Sage regularly published their scientific advice.
He added that schools need to be reopened and children need to go back and that education cannot be stopped until a vaccine is found.
FOLLOW THE SCIENCE
Labour MP Richard Burgon asks Williamson that by the time schools open in September that it will be considered safe by the scientists.
Williamson assures the MP for Leeds East that Public Health England have signed off all of the advice that has been published today.
CHALLENGED ON UNION
Labour MP Clive Efford asks about the practicality of bubbles and their work with trade union.
Williamson replies to the MP for Eltham: “We have had extensive discussion with head teachers about these plans and I can assure that I’ve met with unions every single week and we’ve had a regular dialogue.”
The Education Secretary has previously come under fire over the row between the teaching unions and Government .
Today he told the Commons: “It shouldn’t be about trade unions dictating what is best.”
He has reassured the Commons that the share the goal of “delivering the best education for our children”.
ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
Robert Halfon, Chair Education Committee asks if there will be acocuntability for teachers as a number of pupils have not been in contact with their educators.
Williamson says there will be local lockdowns and “we need to make sure there is accountability”.
He says Ofsted will be working to ensure teachers are in contact with their pupils.
QUESTIONS RAISED
The Shadow Education Secretary asks a series of questions after Williamson’s speech.
Kate Green asked if the £1bn is new money and if the school curriculum will stay broad.
Williamson confirmed it was new money and he would be sharing details on that later on.
He also said a will broad curriculum that include sports because of the benefits it has for pupils including for their mental health.
MORE CHILDREN GO BACK
Williamson said that as long as the infection rate continue to fall then from July 20 nurseries and children miners and other child care providers will no longer be required to place limits on the size of groups of children that can play together.
CATCH UP
Williamson announces massive economic package for education
He announced a £1bn “catch-up” package:
- £650million will be a catch-up premium
- £350million will for a national tutoring programme for the most disadvantaged
BIG STEPS
Gavin Williamson said today: “Education recovery is critical for this generation of school children turning to normal educational routines as quickly routine is critical to our national recovery too.”
He has announced that:
- Testing is readily available so teaching and studnets can return to school with confidence
- Provide all schools and colleges with a number of home testing kits by autumn
- All schools will have access to their local PHE to get advice
WILLIAMSON'S ADDRESS
The House of Commons has been briefly suspended and will return shortly.
The Education Secretary will address MPs over the Government's plans to have all pupils back to school in September.
The guidance has already been published and can be read here.
SCHOOL RE-OPENING RECAP
The Government has published its full guidance for schools to welcome all pupils back this September.
Gavin Williamson is going to address the commons very shortly to explain this.
Here the main points of the guidance:
- Entire subjects could be dropped to free up space in pupils' timetables to have them catch up English and maths.
- Pupils will be grouped in 'bubbles' to limit the risk of transmission between year groups or classes.
- Teachers will be advised to stay in front of the class.
- Sports lessons will be outside where possible and choirs and ensembles are banned
- School star and end times as well as break times will need to be staggered
- Teachers will have to be prepared for an increase in bad behaviour
- Pupils will be encouraged to walk or cycle to school wherever possible
- Teachers have been told to have remote learning lessons integrated into their lessons plans in the event of a local lockdown
- Two pupils testing for Covid-19 within two weeks could result in closure
You can read the full guidance here
PUSH BACK
A headteachers' union has warned that it will be “enormously challenging” for schools to keep children apart in year-group-sized “bubbles” in September.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “The logistics of keeping apart many different 'bubbles' of children in a full school, including whole-year groups comprising hundreds of pupils, is mind boggling.
“School leaders will have to consider implementing staggered starts, finishes and lunch times, alongside transport to and from school, on an epic scale.”
He added: “However, we recognise that the options about how to bring all children back to school in the autumn are limited.”
The union is calling on the Government to have in place a “Plan B” in case it becomes clear that a full return to school in September is “just too risky”.
BOOZERS RESPECT
Hospitality leaders and police chiefs have issued a joint appeal to pub-goers to “respect the new measures” ahead of 'Super Saturday'.
he British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality, the London Night Czar and the National Police Chiefs' Council urged people to support landlords and others as pubs open their doors for the first time in months.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) also issued guidance to people planning to have a pint in England on Saturday.
The hospitality and police statement urged people to behave responsibly, adding: “We ask pub-goers to be supportive of landlords and pub staff, helping them to reopen in the best way possible.
“It's important everyone respects the new measures in place to ensure everyone can enjoy the return of our pubs safely.
“If we all work together we can ensure that the reopening of pubs and hospitality is a success and an enjoyable experience for everyone.”
OUTBREAKS
Under plans for how schools could operate after September, just two pupils testing for Covid-19 within two weeks could result in closure.
Such an incident would be regarded as an outbreak a year group or possibly all pupils may be told to stay at home and self-isolate as a precautionary measure.
PERFORMANCE
All league tables are suspended for the next academic year.
GCSEs and A-levels will take place in summer 2021 with some “adaptations”.
Ofqual, the test regulator, will publish detailed proposals in the coming weeks about this.
Pupils who wish to appeal against the predicted grades they are given this summer will be able to take their GCSEs and A-levels.
Year Four times tables tests and Year Six Sats will take place in the next academic year as normal.
LEARNING FROM HOME
In the new guidance set to be unveiled later this morning, teachers have been told to have remote learning lessons integrated into their lessons plans.
In the event of a local lockdown where schools need to shut, pupils must be able to continue their lessons.
Furthermore, these plans will need to be in place in the event a child or 'bubble' needs to self-isolate.
KEEPING CLEAN
Pupils and staff will be required to wash their hands immediately when they arrive at school.
Regular hand washing in school will also be required throughout the day.
Teachers will be drilling in “catch it, bin it, kill it” into their pupils' heads – which refers to throwing away a disposable tissue as soon as someone coughs or sneezes into it.
Face masks in school will only be required if a pupil develops Covid-19 symptoms while at school and the teacher cannot stay two metres away.
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS
Pupils will be encouraged to walk or cycle to school wherever possible.
As part of the new Government guidance surrounding schools, public transport should be avoided – especially at peak times.
Schools may set up “walking buses” – where a teacher accompanies a group of students to and from school.
If pupils do need to use public transport then local councils will be asked to prioritise them taking buses.
HAVING PATIENCE
Teachers will be advised to be prepared for an increase in bad behaviour from pupils who may have had a tough lockdown compared to their peers.
Educators are to be tasked with working hard to “reintegrate” their pupils back to school life after their routines have been disrupted.
The guidance – which will be unveiled later this morning – will also remind teachers that parents should not be pressured into home-schooling their kid.
FIRST BELL
The latest government guidance on schools that will be published this morning will recommend schools stagger the start and end of their day.
This is to stop 'bubbles' from mixing and to prevent too much congestion at the school gates.
The guidance will say this doesn't mean the school day will need to be extended but rather the break times will be move around,
Furthermore, the start and end of the day should not coincide with rush hour.
Parents will be advised to not wait at the gates.
Any face masks pupils and staff wore on the way to school will need to be removed upon arrival.
LUNCH TIME
Break times will need to be staggered, according to the latest school guidance set to be published by the government today.
'Bubbles' will have to stay apart from other 'bubbles' as much as possible.
Playgrounds and outdoor equipment will need to be thoroughly cleaned as well as dining room surfaces.
Break times will need to be staggered, according to the latest school guidance set to be published by the government today.
'Bubbles' will have to stay apart from other 'bubbles' as much as possible.
Playgrounds and outdoor equipment will need to be thoroughly cleaned as well as dining room surfaces.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Sports lessons will be outside where possible, according to the newest Government guidance for schools that will be published today.
Pupils should also only do sports with their 'bubbles' and all equipment used will need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Choirs and ensembles are banned because there is an “additional risk of infection” where pupils sing and play instruments.
If these activities do take place, it will need to be outdoors if possible, groups limited to 15 and pupils must stand back-to-back.
TEACHER, TEACHER
The guidance that will be announced today by the Government will advise teachers to stay in front of the class.
It will also advise to avoid close face-to-face contact within one metre of their students.
Wherever possible, windows should stay open.
The classroom should be set up to where pupils sit side by side and not facing each other.
IN THE BUBBLE
Pupils will be grouped in 'bubbles' to limit the risk of transmission between year groups or classes.
This will get rid of the need for social distancing at all times in schools so all pupils are able to attend.
These 'bubbles' will either be a class or an entire year group who will have their lunchtime, lessons or breaks together.
For primary schools, the 'bubbles' will be just the pupil's class. The guidance – which will be unveiled later this morning – recognises it is impossible for younger students to keep their distance.
For secondary schools, the 'bubbles' will be expanded to cover the entire year and they will be encouraged to keep their distance from classmates.
In the event a pupil tests positive for coronavirus, it will be easier for the school to identify which of their classmates need to self-isolate.
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