The return dates for some pupils in England schools have been delayed, the Education Secretary has confirmed.
Addressing fellow MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, Gavin Williamson set out new plans for the spring term – claiming the move was necessary in light of rising COVID cases.
He confirmed that students in Years 11 and 13 taking exams will now return on January 11.
Other secondary school students will return full-time on January 18.
Most primary schools will open as planned on January 4.
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However, Williamson did add that: “in a small number of areas where the infection rates are highest, we will implement our existing contingency framework, such that only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will attend face to face.”
This list of areas will be published later on the government’s website.
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BREAKING: Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says the majority of primary schools will be opened as planned on Monday 4 January but in a "small number of areas where the infection rates are highest" primary school children will work remotely. https://t.co/YEPTg2GE0ipic.twitter.com/LYMLyqGF64
Williamson stated: “The education of children is an absolute priority,” but that the government “must always act swiftly when circumstances change.”
He added: “We have had to make a number of changes for the new term to help breaking chains of transmission.”
The original plan was for a staggered return to schools for pupils in England from January 4 – with primary school children, children of key workers, and secondary school children in years 11 and 13 (doing exams) set to return.
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But Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove warned as recently as Monday that this plan was “under review” due to rising cases.
Teaching Unions had also called for a delay to reopening schools, warning that education facilities needed time to “consult as required on new risk assessments and ensure that they can be compliant with any new measures or requirements contained in any forthcoming national guidance.”
More than 1,500 members of the military will be drafted in to provide support with mass testing at secondary schools and colleges when pupils return.
Greater Manchester has now been placed under Tier 4 restrictions. According to the government regulations, residents in these areas must not leave or be outside of their home or garden except where they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ (e.g. essential shopping, exercise, legal obligations, and childcare).
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
30th December 2020 
