The government has dropped plans to fully reopen primary schools in England before the summer holidays, in a move that was welcomed by unions but confirms the majority of children will miss six months of formal education as a result of coronavirus.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the government was taking a “cautious, phased” approach to reopening schools, rowing back on hopes that all primaries in England could fully reopen before the summer break in late July.
“While we are not able to welcome all primary children back for a full month before the summer, we continue to work with the sector on the next steps,” he said.