English Schools to Reopen in Phases Post Lockdown, Minister Says

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools in England will open to children in a “phased manner” once the coronavirus lockdown ends.

Williamson said he could not yet give a date for schools to restart, but he would give them “as much notice as possible” so they can prepare properly. He ruled out opening them during the summer vacation between mid-July and the start of September.

“We recognize that the idea of schools all returning on day one with the full complement of pupils is not realistic or practical,” Williamson told the House of Commons Education Committee in an online session on Wednesday. “I do expect schools to be opened in a phased manner.”

Schools, colleges and nurseries across the U.K. have been shut for five weeks, apart from a limited provision for vulnerable children and those of designated key workers. Williamson said he is looking at the experience of countries that have started to reopen schools, such as Germany and Denmark, to establish which age groups should return first.

In an open letter to Williamson published Wednesday, 55 members of Parliament in the House of Commons and House of Lords called for funding to prevent disadvantaged children from falling behind when schools reopen. Williamson told lawmakers the government is in discussion over policies to help disadvantaged children catch up.

In the U.K., education policy is controlled by individual nations, making Williamson only responsible for children in England, not Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

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