The founder of an academy trust has said union opposition to reopening schools is "rather middle class".
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson's current plan is to reopen all primary schools from June 1 - although this is subject to change based on the coronavirus crisis.
But an alliance of nine teachers' unions has warned it is not yet to safe to open schools and said teachers should have been included in decision making about practicalities of reopening.
Steve Chalk is founder of the Oasis Trust, which has eight schools here in Bristol, and he supports the timeline.
He told the BBC union advice is "lopsided" and fails to recognise the harm to disadvantaged children from missing school.
He said: "The greatest risks for many of our children are being stuck in a council block, with no fresh air, no exercise, little or no nutritious food."
He told the BBC nobody would be forced to attend and the "long-term social cost" of not opening would "outweigh any short-term medical risks".
The trust has four primary schools and four secondary schools in Bristol.
Current plans outlined by the government wouldn't see secondary school age children return to school until September.
The government is adamant it is safe for primary school children to return to school on June 1 based upon the scientific advice.
However, this has led to challenges to the Department for Education to publish the scientific evidence on which the return to school has been based.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has warned against "scaremongering" over safety fears for going back to school.
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"The best place for children to be educated and to learn is in school," the education secretary told MPs this week.
Bristol Live has contacted the Oasis Trust for more information about its reopening plans.
