DfE releases guidance to help schools prepare to re-open

The Department for Education has released guidance for schools to help them prepare for the possible re-opening to more pupils from 1 June.

It sets out a range of protective measures to ensure education settings remain safe places during the coronavirus pandemic, including: reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with others; staggered break and lunch times, as well as drop offs and pick ups; and increasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the used of shared items and utilising outdoor space.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I know how hard schools, colleges, early years settings and parents are working to make sure children and young people can continue to learn at home, and I cannot thank them enough for that.

"But nothing can replace being in the classroom, which is why I want to get children back to school as soon as it is safe to do so. The latest scientific advice indicates it will be safe for more children to return to school from 1 June, but we will continue to limit the overall numbers in school and introduce protective measures to prevent transmission.

"This marks the first step towards having all young people back where they belong – in nurseries, schools and colleges – but we will continue to be led by the scientific evidence and will only take further steps when the time is right."

The DfE says that whilst there will be no penalty for families who do not send their children to school, families will be strongly encouraged to take up these places - unless the child or a family member is shielding or the child is particularly vulnerable due to an underlying condition.

Re-opening of schools will be dependent on the virus staying on a downward slope, and the R remains staying below 1.