Back to school in September
‘BUBBLES’ TO KEEP GROUPS APART
WHOLE schools or entire year groups could be ordered to self-isolate if coronavirus outbreaks are detected once pupils return to class in England in September.
Schools in England have been told to keep children in class or year-sized “bubbles” and avoid creating “busy corridors” when all pupils return in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
Government guidance on how to get all children back after the summer break – following up to six months at home – suggests older pupils should be encouraged to be kept away from other groups of students and staff.
It warns that health protection teams could order the whole school, or all pupils in a year group, to self-isolate at home if schools have two or more confirmed coronavirus cases within a fortnight.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the plans for getting all pupils back on the same day schools in Leicester closed as part of the city’s lockdown extension.
He told the Downing Street press conference that the Government would “have to take very specific action” if schools fail to reopen in September.
Mr Williamson also warned that every child will be expected to attend school in the autumn unless there is a “proper medical September all children who reason” for their absence. can be at school, are at Limits on group sizes will school.” be also lifted in nurseries and He told MPs that the Government childminders in England will provide all from July 20 so more children schools and colleges with a can attend in the summer small number of home testing holidays. kits by the start of the autumn Addressing the term.
House of The official guidance says Commons, mobile units can be dispatched Mr Williamson to schools to test anyone who has been in contact said: “It is with the child, or member of critical to staff, who has tested positive. ensure Testing will focus on the that no person’s class, followed by child loses their year group, then the more time whole school if necessary, the in education advice says. and that from Addressing the press conference, deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said the outbreak in Leicester was not caused by the return of schools, saying it was “community transmission”. She urged parents to “control their teenagers” outside of school to stop the spread of coronavirus, adding that school is “quite a controlled environment”.
It is critical that no child loses more time in education and that all who can be at school, are at school.
Gavin Williamson