Schools reopening announcement: What time is Gavin Williamson’s speech today?
PUPILS across the UK have been out of school since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to make an announcement on when pupils will return to school. But when is it and what is he expected to say?
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What time is the schools reopening announcement today?
Gavin Williamson will give a statement to MPs in the Commons at 11:30 on his back to school plans.
He will also give a press conference later today which is expected to be at 5 pm.
What is Gavin Williamson expected to reveal?
The education secretary is expected to unveil plans for a full return to the classroom by the beginning of the academic year.
He is also expected to discuss “year bubbles” which will be in use in all schools in England.
These “bubbles” will separate entire year groups with staggered start and finish times to keep them apart during breaks and lunch.
According to The Huffington Post, the move would see bigger schools enact bubbles of 30, with entire classes kept together to keep them safe.
Secondary school pupils could be isolated in their year groups – limiting their interactions with students of different ages.
Despite the new measures, the Government is also expected to tell schools to focus on core subjects, with a full curriculum possibly not back until 2022.
Measures could include:
- No in-class social distancing for primary pupils, with secondary students advised to stay one metre apart
- Teachers told to keep two metres away from pupils, and as far away from colleagues as possible
- Children to sit facing forwards in the same direction, with no circular tables
- No face coverings because they “interfere” with teaching and learning
- Teachers advised to spend no more than 15 minutes closer than one metre to someone
- £120 fines for parents whose children don’t show up
- Some subjects dropped to allow students to catch up on English and maths
- A new focus on tackling “persistently disruptive” pupils because increased poor behaviour is more “likely” because of lockdown
- Routine Ofsted inspections to be suspended
Which year groups have returned to school so far?
Only kids in reception, year one and year six have been allowed to return to the classrooms since the coronavirus outbreak, but other years can come back if there’s space.
MORE IN SCHOOLS REOPENING
Secondary schools in England have also been allowed to reopen for some students from Years 10, 11 and 12 since June 15.
The Government had to abandon plans to get every primary school child back in for a month before the summer.
But not all schools have reopened fully. Some do not have the staff and others do not have the space.