‘Missing classes riskier for children than virus’

Experts warn that a loss of education could be more devastating than catching the deadly coronavirus

KEEPING children out of school poses a far greater risk to them than coronavirus, a Government adviser has said.

The impact of Covid-19 on children’s health is “minuscule”, but spending a prolonged period out of school is devastating their development, Dr Gavin Morgan said. His intervention comes amid rising concern that millions of children now face spending six months out of school, with the majority of pupils not expected to return to the classroom until September at the earliest.

This week, pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Six were allowed to return to the classroom, but many schools across the country decided to stay closed, with over 50 local councils around the country defying the Government’s plans.

Downing Street stated last month it was their “ambition” that primary schools would be fully open by the end of June to allow children four weeks of lessons before they break up again for the summer.

But the Government have now said the plan to have every primary school pupil back in the classroom for at least a month before the summer holidays is under review, following warnings from head teachers and governors that this would be “logistically impossible”.

Pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 are allowed back to school before the summer for a limited amount of lessons, but it is so far unclear when other secondary school children will return.

Dr Morgan, an expert in education psychology at University College London who sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said it is clear that children are far less affected by coronavirus than adults.

“We know they have a less challenging disease if they do pick it up,” he said. “The impact on children is minuscule in terms of their health.”

Speaking in a personal capacity, Dr Morgan told The Sunday Telegraph that schools remaining shut is “100 per cent worse” for children than coronavirus.

“We know how important play is for children’s development,” he said. “If they can’t play with their friends, their mental health is going to suffer. Children may well have developed secure attachment with teachers and they have been denied access to them.”

Dr Morgan said that parents’ anxiety about sending their children back to school is “misplaced”, adding that they should not project their fears on to children.

Last month, Sage published documents detailing the evidence that had been provided to the Government on whether it was safe to allow pupils to return to the classroom. The advice revealed ministers were warned that children will suffer lifelong damage because of lockdown. One report warned of the impact of lockdown to children’s physical and mental health, education and development.

Some schools have postponed plans to reopen tomorrow until at least June 22, after new data suggested coronavirus could still be spreading in the North West of England.

Figures released by Public Health England on Friday afternoon showed the R value, the virus’s reinfection rate, was 1.01 in the North West and 1.0 in the South West.

Schools in Blackburn said they would not reopen, Tameside Council “strongly” advised schools not to do so, and Wirral Council urged schools to “pause and consider” reopening plans.

This week, the Children’s Commissioner warned the number of children failing to reach their potential will be “immense” and some may never come back to school after lockdown.

Anne Longfield said that unless more pupils are allowed to return to school, there will be eight million children who have been out of school for six months by September.

She has called for the Government to set up summer schools for children, warning that ministers have got a fortnight to finalise their plans.

Downing Street has confirmed that officials are considering proposals to run summer camps for children.