Covid: When will schools reopen?

Plans to get children back to school have been announced.

However, due to the disruption caused by Covid, most students will not sit exams this year.

All other primary school children will return on Monday 15 March. Regulated childcare for all primary school age children can also resume on 15 March.

At the moment some senior secondary pupils in years S4-S6 can go to school part-time, to complete work for national qualifications.

From 15 March, all secondary school pupils will go to school for some face-to-face lessons. Students working towards national exams will get priority.

The full-time return of all secondary school pupils is expected after the Easter holidays, on 19 April.

All school staff in primary, secondary and special schools will continue to be offered twice-weekly lateral flow testing, as will all secondary school pupils in years S4-S6.

All pupils can return to school from 8 March.

Secondary schools are allowed to stagger the return over a week, to allow Covid testing to be carried out. Students will be tested three times in the first two weeks, and then given two lateral flow tests to use each week at home.

All primary and secondary school staff are also being offered twice-weekly rapid tests. People in the household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or pupils can also get a twice-weekly test.

Clubs for children in school buildings – both before and after normal school hours – will be allowed to resume from 8 March.

Other children’s school activities – such as sport – can also restart.

Pupils who are shielding have been asked to remain at home for a bit longer.

Attendance will be compulsory for all other students, with penalty fines reinstated.

Schools and colleges are already open for children of key workers, vulnerable learners and those completing essential exams or assessments. Special schools are open where possible.

Schools will open to primary school pupils in years 1-3 on 8 March.

Children in pre-school settings are also likely to return on 8 March, while pupils in years 12-14 in post-primary schools will return to class on 22 March.

However, pupils in years 4-7 in primaries and years 8-11 in post-primaries will not return to school before the Easter break at the start of April.

Vulnerable children and children of key workers can go to school, and special schools remain open.

The government says for a “limited period”, students and staff in higher education, further education and secondary schools will be asked to wear face coverings indoors – including classrooms – unless 2m social distancing can be maintained.

Face coverings for staff and adult visitors are also recommended in early years and primary school settings when social distancing between adults is not possible – for example, when moving around corridors and communal areas.

When secondary schools return in Scotland, face coverings will have to be worn at all times.

Many pupils have missed out on months of face-to-face teaching as a result of school closures.

The government has promised £1.7bn to help pupils in England catch up – although teachers’ unions say more is needed.

This includes a £720m package, with funding for secondary summer schools, and expansion of the National Tutoring Programme, offering one-to-one tuition.

In Scotland, the government has announced £127m to help disadvantaged pupils. Catch-up schemes have also been promised in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Schools will able to use a combination of mock exams, coursework and essays when deciding what grade to award.

Results will be published earlier in August to allow time to appeal.

Teachers’ grades will also be used to replace written vocational exams. However, some practical exams will continue if they can be held in a Covid-safe way.

Primary school SATs will not go ahead this year, nor will phonics or timetable testing.

The Welsh government has cancelled GCSEs, AS and A-levels. Grades were going to be based on classroom assessments instead but will now be determined by teachers, based on evidence such as mock exams and coursework.

Students on higher education courses requiring “practical teaching, specialist facilities or on-site assessments” will also return from 8 March.

Mr Johnson said the government was reviewing the timing for the return of other face-to-face teaching in colleges and universities. He said a decision would be made by the end of the Easter holidays.