Gavin Williamson announces reopening of primary schools

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has addressed the nation today following Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s statement to the Commons revealing more than three-quarters of England will be under Tier 4 restrictions from December 31. A new strain of coronavirus has seen cases of Covid-19 soar and triggered strict Tier changes.

Speaking about the new tier measures announced by Mr Hancock, Mr Johnson said: “At this critical moment, with the prospect of freedom within reach, we’ve got to redouble our efforts to contain the virus.

“No-one regrets these measures more bitterly than I do, but we must take firm action now.”

With the January term fast approaching and the uproar exams saw earlier this year, pupils and parents alike are concerned about the return to school.

So what are school rules in Tier 4? When do children go back?

Read More: UK tier lockdown will end sooner if Britons get stronger vaccine 

We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights. Boris Johnson says Covid restrictions could be lifted in three months

All pupils in exam years will return to secondary schools in England from January 11 while the rest of secondary and college students will go back full-time on January 18, Mr Williamson said in a U-turn on the planned reopening.

Primary schools in a “small number of areas” of England where Covid-19 infection rates are the highest will not reopen for face-to-face teaching to all pupils as planned next week, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said.

Jon Richards, head of education at the union Unison, said: “Everyone agrees it’s important for schools and colleges to open but it can’t be at any expense when infections are rising.

“This delay for secondary schools is a sensible decision, giving more time to organise mass testing effectively to limit the spread.

“Primary and early years reopening should also be delayed because social distancing isn’t really possible.

“Ministers should also ensure any moves to extend the vaccine priority list must cover all school staff and not just teachers.”

In a statement, Mr Williamson said: “We must always act swiftly when circumstances change.

The evidence about the new Covid variant and rising infection rates have required some immediate adjustment to our plans for the new term.”

He added: “The latest study we have from Public Health England is that Covid infections among children are triggered by changes in the community rate.

The study also says that the wider impact of school closures on children’s development would be significant.

“I’m quite clear that we must continue to do all we can to keep children in school.”

These are the areas where it is expected that primary schools will not open as planned next week to all pupils:

– London:

Barking and Dagenham

Barnet

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Croydon

Ealing

Enfield

Hammersmith and Fulham

Havering

Hillingdon

Hounslow

Kensington and Chelsea

Merton

Newham

Richmond-Upon-Thames

Southwark

Sutton

Tower Hamlets

Waltham Forest

Wandsworth

Westminster

-Essex:

Brentwood

Epping Forest

Castle Point

Basildon

Rochford

Harlow

Chelmsford

Braintree

Maldon

Southend on Sea

Thurrock

– Kent:

Dartford

Gravesham

Sevenoaks

Medway

Ashford

Maidstone

Tonbridge and Malling

Tunbridge Wells

Swale

– East Sussex:

Hastings

Rother

– Buckinghamshire:

Milton Keynes

– Hertfordshire:

Watford

Broxbourne

Hertsmere

Three Rivers

Source: Read Full Article