The Government has started 2021 in a similar vein to 2020 with a U-turn already under its belt, this time on the planned return of schools while the coronavirus rate skyrockets across the UK. Schools across the UK will return in a phased manner, using a blend of online and in-person teaching until all pupils return.
Schools will remain open as planned for the children of key workers and those from vulnerable families.
The Government is now facing calls to close every school in the country as the infection rate soars out of control, with most of the UK in a near total lockdown.
Announcing his U-turn, Mr Williamson said: “Children’s education and wellbeing remains a national priority.
“Moving further parts of London to remote education really is a last resort and a temporary solution.
“As infection rates rise across the country, and particularly in London, we must make this move to protect our country and the NHS.
“We will continue to keep the list of local authorities under review, and reopen classrooms as soon as we possibly can.”
Labour’s shadow education secretary Kate Green said: ”This is yet another government U-turn creating chaos for parents just two days before the start of term.
Giving his backing to the education secretary, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Over the past week we have seen infections and hospitalisations rise sharply across London and hospitals are coming under increased pressure.
“While our priority is to keep as many children as possible in school, we have to strike a balance between education and infection rates and pressures on the NHS.
“The situation in London continues to worsen and so today we are taking action to protect the public and reduce the spread of this disease in the community.”
Scotland
As it currently stands, pupils in Scotland will return to school on January 18, although First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stressed this is being kept under review.
Speaking about schools re-opening in parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: “As we learn about the new variant we also continue to review when pupils can safely return to classrooms.
“The new strain has already made a normal scheduled return impossible but we continue to assess whether it will be possible to reopen schools as planned on January 18.
“That is, I think, what we all want and to be clear that remains our planning assumption but we will continue to put the safety of pupils, teachers and staff first and of course we will ensure as much notice as possible to parents of any changes we consider to be necessary.”
Northern Ireland
Most pupils in Northern Ireland will not be returning to school in the first week of January as planned.
Primary students will be taught remotely until January 11, and post-primary students will learn remotely for the entirety of the month, returning to in-person teaching from early February.
For post-primary pupils in Years 12 to 14 – the GCSE and A-level years – they will return to school after the first week of January.
Wales
Wales has left the return of schools up to local authorities as infection rates vary across the country, so you will need to check with your local council or school if you live in Wales.
Welsh Local Government Association has said a majority of pupils will learn online next week before most return to face to face learning by January 11
A full return will be phased in by January 18.
