Colleges are expected to reopen to more students from 15 June, the government has said.
While prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed in his press briefing today that schools remained on track to open to more children from 1 June, he said this date would apply to primary schools and early years settings.
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A government statement said: “Secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges will provide face-to-face contact for Year 10, Year 12 and equivalent 16-19 further education students to help them prepare for exams next year”, but added that this would begin slightly later.
“It is expected this will begin from 15 June, with around a quarter of these secondary students in at any point.” Previous guidance from the Department for Education had said colleges would begin to reopen for more students from 1 June “at the earliest”.
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According to the government, a “more cautious approach is being taken for FE, as for secondary students relative to primary”. This, it said, reflected the fact that these groups were more likely to travel longer distances to college and to use public transport - and, once in colleges, they would mix more with other groups.
The government said: “We continue to consider all the evidence, as we said we would, and will continue to work with schools, teachers and unions over the coming week before making a final decision. It also remains the case that schools will only reopen to more children if the government’s five tests are met by Thursday 28 May.”
David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “All through this, we have advised college leaders to make their own decisions based on the best interests of their students and bearing in mind the scientific advice about minimising risks. Most colleges will be planning which students will benefit most from face-to-face contact, whether that be students needing an assessment to finish their qualifications or those who are at most risk of dropping out, or for students where mental health is a worry.
“Because of this, most colleges are making good decisions about which students to invite to come in and balancing their interests and the safety of staff. Those decisions are best made locally, in consultation with staff and students. But they are not easy decisions.”
