New guidance for parents on schools reopening from June
The Department for Education (DfE) has published information for parents and carers to help prepare for the wider opening of nurseries, schools and colleges from 1 June.
The guidance says: "As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the transmission rate of coronavirus has decreased. We anticipate with further progress that we may be able, from the week commencing 1 June, to welcome back more children to early years, school and further education settings. We will only do this provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in the recovery strategy are operating effectively. As a result, we are asking schools, colleges and childcare providers to plan on this basis, ahead of confirmation that these tests are met."
The guidance covers safety information on how the risks to children, teachers and families will be managed, as well as whether children with an underlying health condition should be kept at home.
It also confirms that parents will not be fined for non-attendance, but says that the DfE "strongly encourages children and young people in the eligible year groups and priority groups (such as children of critical workers) to attend, as requested by their school or college, unless they are self-isolating or there are other reasons for absence (such as shielding due to health conditions)."
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