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).
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Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
Credit: Nick WalkerCredit: Larissa HofmannOlivia Rodrigo’s gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.
The Manc -
30th December 2020 
