schools reopening | Schools Week

Johnson hopes to begin reopening schools from March 8 if vaccine target met

The government hopes to begin reopening schools from March 8 if its target for the first phase of vaccinations is met, Boris Johnson has said. The prime minister told the House of Commons this afternoon that it would “not be possible” to reopen schools immediately after February half term. But if the government’s target of […]

Reopening schools: Announcements coming ‘in next few days’ as minister remains tight-lipped

The government will make announcements on reopening schools “in the next few days”, the schools minister has said. However, Nick Gibb gave no indication of whether the upcoming announcements would include a firm date for schools to reopen, or details of any phased approach the government may take. We want to give two weeks’ notice […]

Give us a ‘routemap’ to reopening schools, says education committee chair

The chair of the education select committee is calling on ministers to create a “routemap” to reopening schools, amid speculation that they may not reopen fully until after Easter. The Times reported yesterday that education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected this week to rule out reopening schools to all pupils until after February half term. […]

Tier 4 failure to blame for schools shutting, says Johnson

The government was forced to partially close schools across England because its tier 4 restrictions did not suppress the virus enough, the prime minister has admitted. Boris Johnson told today’s Downing Street press briefing that in the days leading up to Sunday, the government was “hoping that we would start to see some impact and […]

Spring school closures: What we know so far

Boris Johnson has announced the closure of schools to most pupils until at least February half term. The announcement was light on detail, and further guidance hasn’t been put out yet, but here’s what we know so far. 1. Schools to move to remote learning Johnson announced this evening that schools will move to […]

Schools closed to most pupils and ‘alternative arrangements’ for exams

Schools in England will be closed to all but the most vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers from tomorrow until February half term at the earliest, and exams won’t go ahead as normal this summer, Boris Johnson has announced. During a televised address to the nation tonight, the prime minister said the tougher […]

Schools ‘set to close’ for weeks to stop Covid surge after ‘confusion’ in first week of term

Prime minister Boris Johnson is set to close all schools for weeks, it has been reported, as a chaotic start to the new term saw primaries shut across England due to staff safety concerns. According to the Financial Times, the Cabinet agreed today to partial school closures until possibly February half-term as part of a […]

Johnson: Parents should ‘absolutely’ send their children to open primary schools

Parents should “absolutely” send their children in to primary schools in areas where they’re open next week, the prime minister has said. However, interviewed on the Andrew Marr show this morning, Boris Johnson repeatedly refused to say whether he would penalise local authorities that urge their schools to stay closed to most pupils in conflict […]

Back-to-school plans in chaos as unions launch legal action

The government’s back-to-school plans are in chaos after leadership unions began legal action and the country’s largest teaching union told its members they don’t have to work in unsafe environments. The government announced on Wednesday that most primary schools will reopen next week, while the start of term for secondaries was pushed back to January […]