Speaking at the education select committee yesterday, schools minister Nick Gibb said it is "difficult to say" whether all primary school children will go back to school before the summer break. He added he does not "know for certain" whether schools will open at all until new transmissions data is published later today. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. An article in iNews reports Mr Gibb has said the Government is considering implementing rotas to enable more primary year groups to return to school safely. By Will Hazell. Schools Week provides a summary of the key takeaways from yesterday's education select committee. By John Dickens.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has said he believes it is safe to reopen schools from 1 June as long as people keep washing their hands regularly and follow the social distancing rules. By John Dickens, Schools Week.
Schools Week reports £300 million has been made available to local authorities to help them identify and respond to coronavirus outbreaks, including in schools. By Samantha Booth.
Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, has said schools must not reopen until the Health and Safety Executive has drafted risk assessments and the rate of infection is below one for the black and ethnic minority population. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. BAMEed, a network representing black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) education staff, has said there is a "significant gap" in guidance for schools on how to keep BAME employees safe. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.
According to a survey of over 26,000 teachers, fewer than half of those who had worked in childcare hubs said social distancing rules had been followed at all times. By Emma Seith, Tes.
The Telegraph explores what the return to primary school might look like. Caroline Yolland, counsellor at The Beacon School in Amersham, offers advice for parents on how they can support their child emotionally ahead of school reopenings.
Education policy experts have warned the prolonged closure of Scotland's schools could cause "irreversible" damage to some children's education. By Daniel Sanderson, The Telegraph. An article in Tes reports the Education Recovery Group is surveying school and nursery staff in Scotland to find out what support they need during the pandemic. By Emma Seith. Johanna Urquhart, principal of Lomond School, writes in The Times arguing the coronavirus outbreak provides an opportunity to revise the education system to ensure pupils are "equipped to take on the future challenges of the world".
Tulip Siddiq, the shadow children's minister, has criticised the Government's announcement yesterday that it would fund free school meal vouchers throughout the May half term, saying the decision has been made "far too late". By John Dickens, Schools Week.
The Association of School and College Leaders has called on the Department for Education to expand its free laptops scheme to include vulnerable and disadvantaged children in more year groups. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.
Baroness Kidron, a crossbench peer and founder of the 5Rights Foundation, writes in The Times expressing concern over the harmful content children may be exposed to online during lockdown.
Graeme Boyd, a learning resource specialist at Berlin Brandenburg International School, writes in Tes about the ways school libraries are adapting during school closures, adding they provide a "wonderful resource" to students and staff.
