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A map of England shows parents whether their children can return to the classroom next week, as the education secretary insisted there will be no further delays to schools reopening.
Yesterday, the Government announced primary schools in Covid-19 hotspots will not re-open as planned next week, while GCSE and A-level pupils’ return to the classroom has been delayed a week and will go back on January 11.
However, the vast majority of primary schools will return on January 4 as planned, while other secondary and college students will go back on January 18.
The announcement came shortly after the health secretary announced three-quarters of the nation would be plunged into the toughest tier four restrictions on New Year’s Eve.
Gavin Williamson said the Government had to ‘act swiftly’ following the tier escalation, after facing increasing pressure from unions and education chiefs, with one scientist saying it was ‘not acceptable and not safe’ to reopen schools.
But the announcement, which came less than a week before the start of the new term, was described as a ‘last-minute mess’ by teachers. They accused the Government of failing to heed warnings from school leaders that remote learning may need to be implemented.
Mr Williamson insisted today that he ‘absolutely confident’ that there will be no further delays to schools reopening.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘You’re going to see over 85% of primary schools returning on Monday morning, you’re going to be seeing exam cohorts going back right across the country on January 11.’
Primary schools which will remain closed until further notice
There are 49 areas where primary schools will need to switch to remote learning for all but vulnerable children and those of key workers until at least January 18.
The local authorities where this guidance applies is:
London
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Merton
- Newham
- Richmond-Upon-Thames
- Southwark
- Sutton
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
Essex
- Brentwood
- Epping Forest
- Castle Point
- Basildon
- Rochford
- Harlow
- Chelmsford
- Braintree
- Maldon
- Southend on Sea
- Thurrock
Kent
- Dartford
- Gravesham
- Sevenoaks
- Medway
- Ashford
- Maidstone
- Tonbridge and Malling
- Tunbridge Wells
- Swale
East Sussex
Buckinghamshire
Hertfordshire
- Watford
- Broxbourne
- Hertsmere
- Three Rivers
This story is being updated, more to follow…
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