top of page

Coronavirus: Which schools are reopening for pupils?


Some secondary school pupils in England are due to return on Monday, but plans to get all primary pupils in England back before the summer holidays have been dropped.

Meanwhile Wales has announced a return for all ages of pupils at the end of June.

Who can attend secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges?

Secondary schools in England can reopen for Years 10 and 12 from Monday.

But only a quarter of eligible pupils will be allowed in school at any one time.

Last Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock conceded that England's secondary schools may not fully reopen until September "at the earliest".

Students who do return will be encouraged to travel separately and avoid public transport.

Teaching of vulnerable children and those of critical workers in all year groups will continue.

Who's already gone back?

In England, some nursery and pre-school children - plus pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 - started to go back on 1 June.

But not all schools have reopened, some due to local council advice and some because they don't have the staff or space to safely accommodate eligible pupils. Some parents have chosen not to send their children back.

On 4 June, 659,000 children in England - or 6.9% - are estimated to have been in classes.

Many schools have been open throughout lockdown for vulnerable children and those of critical workers across all year groups.

The government has also published guidance for children with special educational needs or a disability.

What about other primary age children?

Plans to get all primary school children back in class for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped - but ministers hope that some schools will try.

"We'd like to see schools who have the capacity to bring back more children, in those smaller class sizes, to do so if they are able," Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Commons.

"We will be working to bring back all children back to school in September," he added. watch year 6 pupils back at school telling us how it went>

What about the rest of the UK?

Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June to all age groups - but only a third of pupils will be in classes at any one time.

Schools and councils will make their own decisions over managing the return.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish schools will reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, using a blended model, with some continued home-learning.

Some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

How does school differ now?

Plans in England include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings.

Here are seven other things that could be different:

  1. No more than 15 children per classroom

  2. Pupils asked to stay 2m (6ft 6in) apart where possible

  3. More regular hand washing

  4. Staggered break and lunch times, plus different arrival and departure arrangements

  5. Less sharing of equipment such as books and toys

  6. Parents should not gather at school gates or in the playground

  7. Carers should only enter school buildings by appointment

If any pupils or staff - or anyone they live with - develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be asked to stay away from school.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Is it safe to send my child to school?

The risk of coronavirus to pupils in the classroom is "very, very small, but not zero", according to sources in the government's scientific advisory group, Sage.

The group has published documents about the safety and impact of reopening English schools, which also say teachers would not be at above-average risk compared with other occupations.

Teachers' unions have warned it is not safe to allow more children into primary schools.

The government acknowledges some schools are not ready to open, but says the necessary five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met.

Getty Images Pupils attending schoolin England, 21 May

  • 244,000(approximate)


  • 8,819,765on a normal school day

Source: DfE/National Statistics (2019 school census)

Do I have to send my child to school?

It is not currently compulsory to send children to school.

This temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - is expected to continue in England during the summer term.


What if my child will still be learning at home?

Many teachers have offered a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise work.

To support home learning, the BBC launched a major programme of educational content on its BBC Bitesize service, including regular daily lessons in English, maths and other core subjects.

What about exams?

Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school Sats national curriculum tests in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead.

The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says exams will take place in 2021 in England. "We are working with Ofqual and the exam boards on our approach to this," he told MPs.

MKLN&A-UK3

bottom of page