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County council supporting schools planning for pupils’ potential phased return

County council supporting schools planning for pupils’ potential phased return

The county council will meet remotely with Gloucestershire head teachers this week to offer support for plans for getting more pupils back into school from the start of June.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister announced that if the lockdown measures continue to reduce the spread of the virus, primary school children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 could return to school from 1 June. Those secondary school children in Years 10 and 13 are also expected to have some contact with their teachers before the end of the academic year.

Almost all schools in the county have remained open to children of key workers and vulnerable children since lockdown began in March. They have supported over 2,700 children so far, and helped others to learn from home; providing learning materials, online resources and food hampers or vouchers to those in need.

The council had been working with schools to consider the next steps ahead of the Government’s confirmation of a potential phased return and will now need to refine these plans following publication of national guidance. As part of this work schools will have a checklist of things to consider in re-opening and the council will provide additional support where children may struggle with going back to school. Schools also need to think about how they can have more children on site and still aim towards social distancing measures.

Tewkesbury Town Council