Published:
3:24 PM May 11, 2021
Updated:
2:20 PM May 13, 2021
Face masks will no longer be recommended in secondary school and college classrooms after 17 May.
- Credit: PA
A headteachers’ leader said schools have been placed in a “very difficult position” after the Government confirmed pupils will no longer be required to wear face masks in class from next week.
MPs and parents have raised concerns about face masks in class disrupting pupils learning and wellbeing since they were introduced in March.
Face coverings have been recommended in classrooms and communal areas since the return to school in March.
- Credit: PA
But a group of unions and scientists have written to the Department for Education to say they were extremely concerned .
“Any summer provision needs to support child development in its broadest sense. Sport, the arts and allowing for safe social interaction. It should not simply be an academic sticking plaster .”
Extra funding has been announced to help children who have had learning disrupted by school closures and months of homeschooling.
- Credit: PA
As part of the recovery package, summer provision will be introduced for pupils who need it the most, potentially starting with pupils moving up to Year 7, whilst one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will be expanded.
The programme includes a one-off £302m for both primary and secondary schools to support disadvantaged pupils - which could include running additional clubs and activities in the summer.
Most children will not make their way to school until March 8 at the earliest.
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Boris Johnson has confirmed pupils will not return to schools as had been planned after February half term.
Instead the prime minister said if the vaccine roll out continued at its current pace schools could reopen on Monday March 8.
And, speaking in the House of Commons, he added that government would set out plans in the week beginning February 22 for the gradual and phased route out of lockdown.
Prime minister Boris Johnson speaks in the House of Commons
- Credit: PA
Mr Johnson said: The first sign of normality beginning to return should be pupils going back to their classrooms.
We re working 24/7, and we re being extremely strict about those who can come in. Last lockdown I felt bullied, but this time I don t. Unless both the pupils parents are key workers, the child has to stay at home. My staff are putting their life on the line coming into work, and when the remote provision is just as good as the real thing, I don t see any reason for that child to have to come into school.
Norfolk County Council warned parents there d be pressure on places for their children at school during lockdown
- Credit: Archant
James Wright, vice-chair of governors at Great Yarmouth s St Nicholas Priory, recounted a similar state of affairs.
He said all pupils in exam years will now return during the week beginning on January 11, with all secondary and college pupils returning full-time on January 18.
During the first week of term after January 4, secondary schools and colleges will instead prepare to test as “many staff and students as possible” and will only be open to vulnerable children and children of key workers, he added.
The Covid infection rate is particularly high among secondary school age pupils.
- Credit: PA
He told MPs: The latest study we have from Public Health England is that Covid infections among children are triggered by changes in the community rate.