How will social distancing work when schools reopen?
THE GOVERNMENT is sending primary school children back today, June 1, under new Covid-19 lockdown rules in England.
Pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 6 are returning to class first, while in a phased reopening secondary school students will return for some face-to-face contact on June 15.
⚠️ Read our UK schools reopening live blog for the latest news & updates
What will classes look like when schools reopen?
The Department for Education issued guidelines on May 11 on how schools should enforce social distancing - including limiting class sizes to 15 students.
This is one of the measures now adopted in schools across Europe as they begin to reopen.
Schools are told to stagger lunch and break times, as well as drop-off and pick-up times, to reduce the number of pupils moving around at once.
It also said schools should look at bringing in a one-way system in corridors, or putting a divider in the middle to control the flow of kids.
Ministers admitted they cannot keep kids two metres away from each other all day, so each class will form a self-contained "bubble" so they don't mix with other kids at the schools.
Will all pupils return at the same time?
No. Primary schools are returning first, followed by Year 10 and 12 pupils, who will return to secondaries during a staggered recall.
However, secondary schoolkids are joining primary pupils in just two weeks, the government said after a fiery row between ministers and unions.
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman says there is a “great deal of logic” in first moving younger kids back into the classroom first.
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And in early May, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said schools can't possibly all return at once because it would risk a second spike of coronavirus.
He said many students will still be learning from home even if some children return to classrooms.
Ministers have asked scientific experts to draw up a list of options for schools to return that will keep the R rate of transmission low.
How will children be kept two metres apart?
This is likely to be a really tricky issue for both Government officials and, in time, teachers.
It's understood we could follow the example set by schools in Europe, where desks are spaced two metres apart and break times are staggered to keep students separate.
There are also smaller classes to ensure children can sit apart.
On May 7, children returned to school in Germany - and youngsters were taught how to practise social distancing.
Pupils wore masks and lined up at 5ft intervals in the playground before being allowed in.
When youngsters return in the UK, it's likely similar measures will be followed.
Will children have to wear masks at school?
No, children will not have to wear face masks when they go back to school.
The government's says on its official website that face coverings "should not be worn in any circumstance by those who may not be able to handle them as directed (for example, young children, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) as it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission".
In France, secondary school children returned to school in May - but only if they wear a mask.
In Germany it's already mandatory everywhere to wear cloth masks on public transport and in shops, and youngsters returning to school have had their faces covered.
Older students in China's biggest cities are starting to go back to school. All are wearing masks and sitting separately from each other in class.
Will children get school meals?
Children are allowed to take in their own packed lunch but sweets, crisps and chocolate are banned to restrict sharing.
The Government has issued very specific guidance about school meals on its website, both for those returning and those still at home.
It says: "Schools should provide meal options for all children who are in school, and meals should be available free of charge to all infant pupils and pupils who meet the benefits-related free school meals eligibility criteria.
"The government will continue to provide schools with their expected funding, including funding to cover benefits-related free school meals and universal infant free school meals, throughout this period."
Under normal circumstances, schools are not expected to provide free school meals to eligible children who are not attending due to illness or if the school is closed.
However, during the pandemic, schools have been continuing to provide support.
Families in need can also apply for vouchers for major supermarkets through the gov.uk website.
LATEST ON SCHOOL REOPENINGS
Can parents be fined if they don't send their kids back after lockdown?
There was a suggestion in April that this was a possibility - but Ofsted chief Amanda Speilman has since clarified it's "extraordinarily unlikely".
Ms Speilman said that there will still be some children who will likely be schooled at home if they have family members who are vulnerable.
She told Sky News' Sophy Ridge show: "Given that there will be substantial numbers of children in households where somebody is at high risk, I think it is extraordinarily unlikely that anybody would start at the stick end of the spectrum rather than the carrot."
Matt Hancock had earlier refused to comment on whether those who decide not to send their children in may face fines.
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