Chesterfield MP calls for 'credible plan' on schools amid fears classrooms will remain closed until Easter

Chesterfield’s MP has called for a ‘credible plan’ on how and when children can return to school after the current lockdown.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday the government will tell teachers and parents when pupils can return to the classroom ‘as soon as we can’ – but could not guarantee schools would reopen before April's Easter break.

Mr Johnson said he understood why people wanted a timetable but he did not want to lift coronavirus restrictions while the infection rate was ‘still very high’.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins says the government must provide a plan for how and when children can return to school.Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins says the government must provide a plan for how and when children can return to school.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins says the government must provide a plan for how and when children can return to school.
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Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield, said pupils and parents in the town ‘deserved better’ than an education secretary ‘who has no grip on his brief and no plan for the challenges that they face’.

"Getting pupils back in the classroom safely must be a national priority, and it is time for the government to work with the profession to develop a credible plan to make this happen,” Mr Perkins said.

“As long as pupils aren't in the classroom the government must ensure that they have the support and resources they need to learn remotely.

“It is crucial that government prioritise teachers and pupil facing school staff for vaccines as soon as humanly possible to give greater confidence around the return and ensure that all schools have the support needed to run school based Covid tests.”

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Only about 14 per cent of pupils in England are currently getting in-person teaching, including children of key workers and the most vulnerable pupils, amid closures planned until February half-term.

Mr Johnson said: "I understand why people want to get a timetable from me today, what I can tell you is we'll tell you, tell parents, tell teachers as much as we can as soon as we can."

The government is believed to be considering a phased school return which would see children in primaries and key exam years back in the classroom first.

Geoff Barton, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We definitely need a plan and the plan has to be predicated on what the science says.

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“What the science is likely to say, I think, is that you probably don’t want to do what they did in September which is to suddenly open up the floodgates and everyone goes back into school.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.