UK schools could reopen on May 11 – Boris handed option to save GCSE and A-level exams

 

GAVIN WILLIAMSON has said he cannot give a date for when schools will reopen following reports children could go back in just three weeks.

Gavin Williamson on when students can go back to school

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The Education Secretary said he wanted "nothing more" than to see children return to school but five tests need to be met first. Speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference, Mr Williamson said: "First we must protect the NHS's ability to cope, and be sure that it can continue to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the whole of the United Kingdom.

 

The Education Secretary said decisions would be guided by "scientific advice". (Image: PA Images)

 

"When we can be sure that we have met these five essential points, we can think about getting children into schools again, learning, mastering new ideas and being with their friends once more."

 

It comes after reports UK schools could reopen their doors as early as May 11.

 

Boris Johnson is looking to end the UK-wide lockdown in three stages, it has been reported.

 

The first step would be the reopening of schools, though class sizes would be reduced and lessons may only take place on certain days of the week.

 

 

When the Prime Minister returns to work he will be given three possible dates to reopen schools: May 11, June 1 or the start of September.

 

If the reopening of schools is delayed, pupils who were due to sit GCSE and A-levels next year may have to go to school during the six-week summer holidays, with contingency plans put in place to push their exams back by two months, the Sunday Times claimed.

 

Exams have already been cancelled entirely for students who were due to sit GCSEs and A-Levels thissummer.

 

Instead, schools and colleges are being asked to provide their own assessment on the grades students would have been most likely to achieve had they been able to sit their exams.

 

 

Chequers

 

Chequers, the country retreat where the Prime Minister is recovering from coronavirus. (Image: PA Images)

 

However, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tweeted that no decision has yet been made.

 

He said: “I can reassure schools and parents that they will only reopen when the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to do so.”

 

To help parents with home schooling, the first national online UK classroom will launch tomorrow, on what would have been the first day of the summer term.

 

Oak National Academy will provide 180 video lessons each week for students from reception through to year ten.

 

 

Vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across the UK will also be given free laptops and tablets.

 

An education department spokesman said: “No decision has been made on the timetable of reopening schools. We will only reopen schools when the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to do so.”

 

The plans are part of a three-phase end to the lockdown.

 

Phase one would also see the reopening of DIY stores, such as Homebase and Ikea, as well as opticians and hairdressers.

 

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Phase two could see other non-essential shops, such as clothing and bookstores, and workplaces reopening at the end of July.

 

The final phase would be to end the “shielding” of the elderly and vulnerable.

 

However, it has been warned this may not happen until Autumn 2021, as over-70s may be forced to stay at home until there is a vaccine.

 

The Prime Minister is currently recuperating from the coronavirus at Chequers however, he has been receiving official papers and catching up on developments with ministers.

 

Aides told the Sunday Times he is not likely to resume full duties until later this month.

 

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Piers Morgan branded the report a “scandal” after it was revealed the Prime Minister skipped five Cobra meetings at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

He was absent from a number of meetings due to prioritising his personal life, and other domestic issues such as Brexit and the cabinet reshuffle.

 

The first meeting he attended was on March 2 when the outbreak had already started to grip the country.

 

One senior government advisor has heavily criticised Mr Johnson for a lack of leadership.

 

Yesterday, the government announced a further 888 deaths in the UK, taking the total to more than 15,000 since the crisis hit the UK.

source:bbc