The government is set to announce what schools can expect to have to do to allow all children back in September.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson is due to announce the plans which includes an overhaul to the curriculum, staggered break times and group children into "bubbles" when they return to the classroom.
Details are expected to be set out at a Downing Street press conference today (Thursday) – the first time one has been held since daily briefings were scrapped last week.
The Daily Telegraph reports that a draft of the official guidance also bans the mixing of year groups – such as in assemblies – as well as school choirs, and suggests teachers also stagger the start and end of the day.
The paper also says that contingency plans must also be in place in case of a local lockdown and schools will be required to liaise with their local health protection team if there are two or more confirmed coronavirus cases within a fortnight.
Children from all year groups will be able to attend clubs in schools during the summer holidays – but activities that involve group singing should be avoided, new government guidance, which has already been released, also suggests.
The announcement comes as schools in Leicester, the location of the first local lockdown due to a surge in coronavirus cases, are forced to close again today with plans not the reopen until after the usual summer break.
In the East Midlands city, children of key workers can still attend school but are allowed to remain home if their parents or guardians prefer and are able to make alternative arrangements.
