Boris Johnson 'sure' all pupils can be back at school full-time from September

Boris Johnson 'sure' all pupils can be back at school full-time from September

The PM hints the social distancing rule of two metres could be cut, telling parents and pupils: "Watch this space."

Boris Johnson is doing stupid things its a misfortune for all of us, and government are treating us like the enemies

The prime minister has announced he is "sure" all children can be back in school full-time from September.

Boris Johnson hinted social distancing rules in classrooms could be relaxed to help more pupils return faster, as he told people to "watch this space".

Asked about calls from some Conservatives to cut the recommended two metre gap to one metre to help more pupils join lessons, he said: "We will be putting in further changes as the science allows."

Image:Schools have started to reopen further in England from 1 June

He was also asked if the return to school plan would see kids return full-time from the autumn instead of just going in for some or half days.

Mr Johnson confirmed: "Absolutely... Provided we can make the classroom safe, and I think we can, I want every child, every student, every pupil back in September and I'm sure we can get it done.

Currently everyone is told to stay two metres apart

"I'm making no bones about it - I think that's the right way forward for our country."

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson later confirmed the Government intended to bring all children back to school in September, but stopped short of saying it was official government policy.

School is vital for every one of our children," he told the daily Downing Street press conference.

"That is why we will bring all children, in all year groups, back to school in September. While many children have already returned to school, I do understand that there is anxiety still among parents.

"I want to assure you that the wellbeing of your children is the absolute top priority for every single one of us."

But the National Education Union complained it was not clear how the Mr Johnson "simply hoping will be enough in itself to achieve that goal".

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, said: "If the requirements of social distancing - in order to stop a second peak - are reduced even to 1m, then most schools could not have 30 children in a classroom.

"He needs a plan for more teachers, to ask teachers who have left the profession to return, and he needs to be finding extra spaces in which they can teach smaller groups.

"We need to use the ingenuity that produced the Nightingale hospitals to produce the extra spaces we need."

Image:A union said reducing the distance to one metre would not be enough

Hours after the UK's coronavirus alert level was lowered, the prime minister said on a visit to a school in Hertfordshire: "We have to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.

"Yes it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world, and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down...

"I hope, as we go forward into the autumn, people will be much, much more confident."

Image:The PM insisted schools were safe for parents to send children back to

The levels of COVID-19 across the country are "really diminishing amongst us all", he added.

Concerns about emergency measures having to be strengthened again were also dismissed by Mr Johnson, when asked about the threat of a second peak.

He said the government would use its test and trace programme to "take the preventative measures necessary on the spot, rather than going back to the national lockdown approach".

Schools in England have been reopening further to pupils from 1 June, although some did not meet the deadline over safety fears for children and staff.

Mr Johnson sought to convince parents it is safe for teaching to continue, telling them on Friday: "Schools are safe to come back to - early years, reception, year one, year six in primary, year 10 and 12 in secondary - now is the time to come back."

It comes after news a £1bn catch-up programme for children who have missed out on months of education has been announced by Downing Street.