Education secretary Gavin Williamson says the size of protective “bubble” which children are currently being taught in could be increased from 15 to the size of a whole class.
Leading today’s Downing Street press briefing, Mr Williamson said the government would bring back all children in all year groups back to school in September.
When asked how the government would achieve that, and whether the 2-metre social distancing rule would be relaxed in schools, he said a review was currently taking place.
He added: “We’ve been creating bubbles of children in the classroom creating a protective environment for those children. Currently, that is at 15, and what we would be looking at doing is expanding those bubbles to include the whole class.”
Mr Williamson said it was because the number of people infected with the virus was declining “that we can look at bringing and making sure every child returns to school”.
“And we recognise there are still going to have to be protective measures put in place to make sure that children are safe and to make sure that teachers and all those who work in schools are safe as well,” he said. “And that’s why we’re going to be issuing further guidance in the next two weeks.
“But in terms of the review of distance, the prime minister has made it clear that this review is currently being undertaken. It’s going to be a short period of time and it [the findings] will be reported back to the prime minister and the cabinet for the cabinet to make a decision, but I’m afraid we’re not in a position today to give you the next update.”
Geoff Barton, Association of School and College Leaders general secretary said: “We fully support the government’s aim of bringing all pupils back into schools and colleges from September, if the science confirms it is safe to do so.
“The education secretary has today indicated that there will be further guidance in the next two weeks which we assume will set out new safety measures in line with scientific and medical advice that will allow for a full return from September.
“We hope to discuss this guidance with the Department for Education at the earliest opportunity in order to provide constructive feedback.
“It is very important that this guidance is supplied to schools and colleges as soon as possible. They are doing their best to put in place plans for September but they have so far had to do this in the dark without any input from the government.
“They also urgently need answers about what is envisaged in terms of exams and assessments next year so that they can plan accordingly.”
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