The Government is “still planning for a staggered opening of schools” after Christmas but is keeping the plan under constant review, Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “We’re still planning for a staggered opening of schools and we are working to ensure testing is in place.
“As we have said throughout the pandemic, we obviously keep all measures under constant review.”
The spokesman also confirmed that Health Secretary Matt Hancock would announce any changes to tier areas in a statement to the Commons on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier, the head of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) called for “a more grown-up” debate around the reopening of schools as the Covid-19 pandemic worsens.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Geoff Barton said: “This doesn’t have to be binary – it doesn’t have to be all young people in school or not in school.
“I would say the people who best know their communities, the people who best know what facilities young people have got at home, whether it’s IT or books, are the school leaders or the teachers.”
The union leader added: “What we could be doing is reducing the number of young people in schools while we get that testing in place, making sure we focus on those young people who we need to have in school, trusting the other ones not to be in school.
“Why don’t we have a more nuanced debate about it? A more grown-up attitude, and why don’t we trust our school and college leaders who, frankly, are looked to for real leadership by their local communities?”
