Entire schools could be closed if a child or teacher tests positive for coronavirus, schools minister Nick Gibb said today.
Speaking before MPs at the education committee, Mr Gibb said if somebody tests positive for the virus “it may well be that we ask the group of 15 to return home to self-isolate or if there has been a lot of mixing the whole school will need to be closed”.
Primary schools are preparing to reopen on June 1 with a maximum class size of 15.
Mr Gibb insisted that closing a whole school in this way would be done in “extreme” cases.
He also said plans to reopen schools next week have been “very much led by the science”, adding that it was “very clear” there is less risk for younger children and the severity of the disease is lower than in adults.
But he added that the safety of teachers and pupils is of “paramount concern”, and safety measures such as enhanced hygiene and desks two metres apart facing away from each other were being implemented.
Children in nursery, reception, year one and year six are expected back to school on June 1.
Some year 10 and year 12 pupils will be allowed back on June 15 to help prepare for exams.
But some teachers, parents and education unions have expressed concerns about the safety of schools reopening. Some local authorities have indicated that their schools will not be ready to open.
Mr Gibb said today that the reopening of schools on June 1 still hinges on the Government’s five tests being met. Progress on the tests will be announced tomorrow.
“If [progress] is not confirmed, the schools will not be opening on June 1,” he said.
The five tests include a consistent fall in the death rate and data from Sage showing the rate of infection is decreasing.
Mr Gibb, minister for school standards, appeared in front of MPs to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on education and children’s services.