Schools to be told 'within days' if they have to open on June 1 depending on tests

The government may tell schools if they will reopen their classrooms next month after making a final decision based on five tests.

Ministers have told schools to get ready for reception, year one and six to return on June 1 - but only when all the tests are met as it will be safe to do so.

Officials have issued advice to headteachers on ensuring classrooms and playgrounds are as safe as possible with class sizes capped at 15 pupils and desks kept two metres apart.

However teaching unions and the government have locked horns over whether it's safe for kids to go back to school on June 1.

Furious union bosses have ordered their members to refuse to engage with the government and have a string of conditions that must be met before they'll return to their classrooms.

Schools could find out as early as this week if they will reopen on June 1 (Getty Images)

Liverpool, Bury, Hartlepool and Gateshead councils have all said they will not be reopening schools on June 1.

Downing Street suggested that a final approval could come as early as this week.

A spokesman didn't challenge claims that the final decision could come this week as next week is half-term

He said: "You can see from the discussions that have taken place ... that we are working to seek to resolve this as soon as we can."

Officials are adamant that nothing will happen before June 1 while the Government will publish its scientific advice and SAGE minutes on safety in schools "as soon as possible".

Classes will have a maximum of 15 pupils (Edinburgh Evening News / SWNS)

Union leader Geoff Barton claimed today that the government will make the final decision next Thursday which coincides with the next three-week review into the lockdown.

He said: "It is also important to understand that the government will only make the final decision on whether to press ahead with the reopening of schools when it reviews the latest science on May 28, and that if the evidence does not support this decision at that time, it will be delayed."

Yesterday Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the government was 'confident children and teachers will be safe' when schools reopen.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, he said: “The clear scientific and clinical advice is that it is safe to have schools reopen, accompanied with social distancing."

Union bosses have urged their members not to engage with the government (AFP via Getty Images)

The Government's roadmap gives no specific date on when a decision will be made on any changed but they will be announced at least 48 hours in advance.

The five tests set out by Boris Johnson must be met before any relaxing of the rules.

The Prime Minister said at the weekend that three of those five have now been met with work being done on the other two.

Parents have been promised they will not be punished if they decide not to send their children to school.

Liverpool city council became the first local authority to announced it would not be reopening its schools on June 1.

It said the earliest date for lessons to resume in the classroom will be June 15 and only year six, the oldest children, would be allowed back.

Until then it will continue to allow only the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils to attend school.

Hartlepool council and Gateshead council have announced they also plan to delay the reopening of their schools.

Kit Malthouse hinted that some schools in some areas may reopen (REX)

Last night policing minister Kit Malthouse hinted that some schools in some areas may reopen depending on their infection rates.

He was asked on Radio 4's Westminster Hour last night if that "could lead to different return rates for schools in different parts of the country, is that something that could happen?"

To which he replied: "In theory it could. It’s certainly the reason for us setting up this new bio security centre, as I think was outlined when it was announced, so we can monitor the progress of the virus across the country.

"And if localised action is required, it can be taken, if there’s a localised outbreak."

According to experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London currently has the lowest spread of coronavirus with a rate of 0.5 to 0.8 and East Midlands has the fastest of between 0.8 and 1.2.

The news comes as eight schools in a French city have been forced to close after a child tested positive for coronavirus.

Schools only began reopening in France last week, but seven public institutions and one private school in Roubaix closed on Monday morning.

Local officials said the schools in Roubaix, on the Belgian border, closed immediately following the outbreak as a 'precaution'.