Long overdue or incredibly effective ? York parents on Government plans to scrap school bubbles THE BUBBLE system in our schools during the pandemic has been a controversial measure since pupils returned to their desks. With small groups of students and staff self-isolating for up to 14 days at any one time, most parents will have received a notification at least once in the past school year. In the worst cases where staffing levels are too low or both pupils and teachers are affected, it has forced schools to shut their doors in a full closure. But speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, education minister Gavin Williamson revealed changes from August 16.