Gazette readers show support for schoolchildren staying home until September

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed this week that the Government had abandoned plans for all primary schoolchildren to have four weeks back in the classroom before the end of the summer term.

It will now be a decision for schools to take themselves, based on facilities and capacity, with Mr Williamson adding that he hopes schools will continue to welcome more pupils back.

Last week saw children in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 return to the classroom for the first time since March – but it is now not required for primary schools in England to welcome all pupils back before the summer holidays, as had previously been hoped.

On our Facebook page, we asked if you thought primary schools should stay closed to the remainder of pupils – who have not been attending throughout lockdown – until September 2020.

More than 360 people voted in our online poll, with 72% agreeing that primary schools should stay closed for the remainder of pupils until September.

This is what you said on our social media pages:

Caz Rae: “Having said yes ... I do wonder if perhaps the authorities should look to starting the winter term before September since most have been out of school for over two months now, three months by the time the summer holidays start.”

Maria Wilkinson: “As important as education is, our children's health and safety must take the utmost importance above anything else.”

Dot Wilson-Newcombe: “Would rather they miss out on education than taking the risk with their lives.”

Vicky Adams: “It is a long time out of education, and contrary to some media teachers DO want to be back teaching the kids.

“The problem with this, as with ALL decisions this government have made regarding many professions (schools, transport, hospitals, care homes, dentists) is that they didn't speak to the people who would be doing the job before announcing their plans!”

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