On Wednesday, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education, Layla Moran, secured an urgent question on the reopening of schools announced in the Government’s coronavirus briefing on Sunday.
The Secretary of State defended the Government’s plans in the House of Commons, saying that while he is immensely grateful for the response of all those working in education, the greatest impact of school closures has been on children.
Reiterating the plans for a phased reopening, with primary schools being asked to welcome back reception, year 1 and year 6 children in smaller class sizes from 1st June at the earliest, Gavin Williamson argued that the Government ‘continue to follow the best medical and scientific advice, and we believe that this phased return is the most sensible course of action to take.’ He also noted that the Government was following international examples, mirroring Denmark’s reopening of schools.
As well as scientific advice, Gavin Williamson emphasised that the Department for Education had been working closely with Head Teachers’ unions and the sector, which had informed the guidance. However, Gateshead MP and member of the Education Select Committee Ian Mearns questioned this, noting that the National Association of Head Teachers had said that Head Teachers had not been consulted on the proposed date of return, arguing that it is only partially true that the Government had been working with the sector.
The Shadow Secretary of State, Rebecca Long-Bailey, as well as former Education Secretary Damian Hinds, both asked about the need for flexibility and ensuring schools are able to plan for their specific contexts, especially in those settings where social distancing will be hard to maintain. Gavin Williamson confirmed that schools would be given flexibility within the guidelines, although provided little detail on what this might look like.
Throughout the debate, politicians praised the work of teachers, including two MPs from the region. Conservative MP Richard Holden thanked teachers for their ‘selfless actions throughout the global pandemic’, and Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy for their ‘dedication throughout the pandemic’.
