Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled that another government U-turn may be on the way on schools reopening in January.
After repeatedly saying during the pandemic that keeping schools open was a “national priority”, the PM said the return of pupils to classrooms in the New Year would be kept under review.
“The most useful thing I can tell you at this stage is obviously we want, if we possibly can, to get schools back in a staggered way at the beginning of January in the way that we have set out,” he said.
“But obviously… the commonsensical thing to do is to follow the path of the epidemic and as we showed last Saturday to keep things under constant review.
“But it is very, very important to get kids and keep kids in education if you possibly can.”
Initially, the government said the reopening of secondary schools and colleges in England after Christmas will not be delayed, but would instead be staggered, meaning those studying for exams will return as normal in January, but most pupils will start the year online, to allow mass testing to be rolled out at the start of term.
Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January, alongside vulnerable pupils and key workers’ children.
Two rapid tests will be offered to those students attending classes, at three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.
Those with a positive test will be required to self-isolate in line with existing regulations.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the wider community.
“Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.
“The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing. Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams, it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all, while keeping schools as safe as possible.”