UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that England is now ready to move into stage two of his plans to ease lockdown, meaning some pupils will be going back to school from 1 June.
Speaking during today's briefing, the Prime Minster said he will be open schools in two steps - with Reception, Year One and Year Six pupils would return to school from the beginning of next month. Then on 15 June secondary schools will offer 'some contact' for Year 10 and Year 12 as they prepare for their exams.
He said: "The education of children is crucial for their welfare, for their long-term future and for social justice.
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"In line with the approach being taken in many other countries, we want to start getting our children back into the classroom in a way that is as manageable and as safe as possible.
"We said we would begin with early years' settings and reception, year one, and year six in primary schools."
Johnson said 'while of course we realise social distancing may not be possible, especially when teaching young children' he went on to outline new government guidance which would mean schools are to reduce class sizes and stagger break, drop off and pickup times to help ensure the safety of staff and pupils.
He went on to say that he understands not all schools will be able to open on 1 June but he hopes that eligible students will be back in classrooms 'as soon as possible'.
Johnson said the government is in consultation with unions and headteachers, adding: "We will of course continue to consider all of the evidence."
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Johnson added that he will release further information on what moving to the next stage means for other areas - such as non-essential shops - in the coming days.
He said: "We will set out what moving to step two means for non-essential retail and more social contacts in the near future.
"We are making progress but that progress is conditional, provisional."
When asked about the future for non-essential shops, Johnson said 'watch this space' and promised we would be 'hearing more about it in the next few days'.
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Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News