On Sunday evening Boris Johnson revealed to the nation his plan to get pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 back into schools from June 1st.
This announcement did not go down well with parents who do not want their children going back to school until it is proven that it is safe to do so.
In the 60-page ‘roadmap’ document that followed on Monday the government explain their rationale around picking the age groups that they have.
“Children in Reception and Year 1 are at the very beginning of their school career and are mastering the essential basics, including counting and the fundamentals of reading and writing, and learning to socialise with their peers,” says the report.
“We know that attending early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and supports children’s social and emotional development.”
It adds: “Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for the transition to secondary school, and will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready.”
Explaining why primary school have been made the priority over secondary school aged children it says:”We will prioritise younger children in the first phases of wider opening, for several reasons.
“Firstly, because there is moderately high scientific confidence in evidence suggesting younger children are less likely to become unwell if infected with coronavirus (Covid-19); and secondly because evidence shows the particularly detrimental impact which time spent out of education can have upon them.
“In addition, older children are more likely to have higher numbers of contacts outside of school so pose a greater transmission risk, and they are typically better able to learn at home.”
Secondary school children that are due to sit exams next year are being advised to prepare for some face to face contact with teachers: “The two year groups in mainstream secondary schools and colleges have been prioritised because they are preparing for key examinations next year, and are most at risk of falling behind due to time out of school or college.
“From 1 June 2020, we expect that secondary schools and colleges will be able to offer some face to face contact with Year 10 and year 12 pupils. This will not be a return to full timetables or pupils back in school or college full time, rather some support to supplement pupils’ remote education.”
Further guidance for secondary schools is expected in the coming weeks.
