Schools in Scotland are reopening doors this week and welcoming pupils back to the new academic year for the first time since lockdown began.
Scotland is currently carrying out a phased reopening of academic establishments across the country.
Schools in the Borders and Shetland are opening today, with most other local authorities following on Wednesday, and the Scottish government has said it wants all schools fully open by 18th August.
Various phased approaches being carried out are seeing the youngest pupils return first, staggered start and finish times, staggered lunch hours, shorter classes, cancelled assemblies and PE only taking place outdoors. It’s also believed that physical and social distancing among students will not generally be required, particularly among primary school students, but safety measures such as one-way systems are in place.
Teachers will also be required to keep a two-metre distance from pupils.
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With all of this in mind, and with the government having posted official guidance for full reopening of schools in England, what can parents in Greater Manchester expect ahead of September?
Education Minister Nick Gibb confirmed during an appearance on BBC Breakfast last week that schools in Greater Manchester and other parts of Northern England would still be reopening “notwithstanding the local restrictions” in September.
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But what is the typical school day expected to look like? What has changed?
Here’s everything we know so far.
Will schools reopen full-time and what COVID-safe measures will be introduced?
The Department of Education has confirmed that all pupils in all year groups will be expected to return to school full-time in September, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has also previously stated that there is “little evidence” at present to suggest coronavirus (COVIS-19) being transmitted in schools.
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The government has set out a system of controls for schools and said that the following four points must happen in all schools, all the time:
Keep pupils with COVID-19 symptoms, or with family members with symptoms, away from school.
Introduce more frequent hand-washing procedures.
Promote good hygiene around the use of tissues for sneezes and coughs.
Have enhanced and thorough cleaning procedures.
It also wants schools to minimise contact between individuals pupils and maintain social distancing wherever it is deemed possible.
How will the typical school day work?
Once schools reopen doors in September, they will be expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum to students, but as is to be expected, the school day may look different to previous years.
Once Schools in England are being asked and advised to:
Stagger start and finish times, but without shortening the number of teaching hours each pupil receives.
Minimise the number of contacts each pupil has during the day by putting classes or whole year groups into “protective bubbles”.
Avoid assemblies or collective worship with more than one group.
Schools may also introduce their own COVID-safe measures and those could be subject to review/change.
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What about school drop-offs/pick-ups and breakfast/after-school clubs?
Once again, although it does not appear to have been listed as an official requirement in England as of yet, parents should expect staggered start and finish times to keep groups apart, and walking or cycling to school is also likely to be encouraged.
Parents should not gather in groups at school gates, or go on site without an appointment and schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival.
It’s believed that dedicated school transport services will be asked to:
Move children in “bubbles”
provide hand sanitiser
Apply social distancing where possible
Ask children over 11 to wear face coverings
When it comes to breakfast and after-school/holiday clubs, it’s hoped that they should also resume in September, but the government has acknowledged that it will be “logistically challenging” and may take some schools longer to put into practice.
Children should ideally stay within their year groups or bubbles, but if this can’t be done, then the government suggests schools should use “small, consistent groups” to minimise infection risk.
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Do I have to send my child back to school?
At present, attendance will be mandatory for all pupils in England from September.
The exceptions for this of course include if a pupil or a close contact to that pupil develops symptoms or test positives for coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s also believed that head teachers will follow up on any pupil absences and may even issue sanctions or possible fines for poor attendance.
Could schools close again?
It has been stated that whole-school closures “will not generally be necessary” in the future, unless advised so by government health officials, but if a school has a suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, teachers will then liaise with local health teams to discuss going forward.
It’s likely that COVID-testing procedures will be carried out before any closures occur.
If pupils are not able to attend school due to necessary self-isolation or quarantining measures, then schools will also be expected to have home-working plans ready to go.
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What else does the government advise?
The government has also advised that pupils in England should:
Wear uniform as normal.
Bring only essentials – including lunch boxes, books, stationery and mobile phones.
Take books and other shared resources home, but avoid unnecessary sharing – this also applies to teachers.
Take part in non-contact physical education – outside if possible – with “scrupulous attention” to cleaning and hygiene.
You can read the official government-issued guidance for the reopening of schools in England here.
For further information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do refer to official sources via gov.uk/coronavirus.
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‘He sacrificed himself to save the woman he loved’ – Emotional tribute paid to man who died shielding wife from M60 crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died shielding his wife from an oncoming HGV crash on the M60 have issued a heartbreaking tribute to him.
David Lalgee, who was in his 60s, died in the collision on Thursday 20 March in Swinton.
An HGV had crossed the central reservation into the opposite lane, before going into the embankment and colliding with six vehicles.
David was rushed to hospital but has since died of his injuries, and his family have described him as ‘selfless and loving’ in an emotional tribute.
His loving family detailed how his final act was to shield his wife, Jo, from the oncoming tragedy, placing his body between hers and the oncoming lorry.
“He took the full impact, sacrificing his life to save the woman he loved,” they said in the statement shared through GMP.
David was a father of three, stepfather of three, and proud grandfather of nine grandchildren, as well as a Pastor of Church Alive in Blackpool.
In the tribute, they wrote: “He adored his family, and the way he loved his wife was something truly special filling their home with warmth, kindness, and steadfast devotion.”
David’s family said: “On Thursday 20 March 2025 my husband and father David tragically lost his life in a road traffic collision on the M60.
“David was a devoted father to Josh, Tamar, and Ben, a loving stepfather to Jake, Will, and Connie, and a proud grandfather to nine wonderful grandchildren.
“He adored his family, and the way he loved his wife was something truly special filling their home with warmth, kindness, and steadfast devotion. His absence leaves a void that words cannot express.
“In his final moments, David did what he had always done—he put others before himself. With incredible bravery, he protected his wife, Jo, placing himself between her and the oncoming lorry that had crossed the central reservation.
“He took the full impact, sacrificing his life to save the woman he loved.
“No words can truly capture the man David was. He was a protector, a carer, the Pastor of Church Alive in Blackpool, as well as above all else, a pillar of love and support to so many.
“He lived to serve others, always offering kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith.
“David cared for people his whole life, not just for own family and friends but he was a proprietor for his own care home for over 30 years, Stockdove care home in Cleveleys where he cared for the elderly.
“We cannot imagine anyone ever speaking a bad word about him. His selflessness and compassion touched so many lives, and while our time with him was far too short, we will forever cherish the moments and memories he gave us.
“In two weeks’ time, David’s son-in-law, Reuben Morley, will be running his first 100-mile ultramarathon—a challenge David wholeheartedly believed he could complete within 24 hours. In honour of David’s strength and determination, Reuben is dedicating his race to him.
“Finally, we want to acknowledge the overwhelming love and support we have received. Every message, every kind word, and every shared memory means the world to us.
“We see them all, and they remind us just how deeply David impacted so many lives.”
Manchester United fan group call for full investigation into security after sit-in protest
Danny Jones
A prominent Manchester United fan organisation have called for a full investigation into Old Trafford security after an alleged assault during the sit-in protest this past weekend, detailing what they called “not only unprofessional but completely disgraceful” conduct from stewards.
Large groups of Man United supporters stayed in the stadium beyond the full-time whistle was blown following a lacklustre 0-0 Manchester derby – one both Reds and City fans alike will soon forget – to voice their complaints as part of a planned sit-in protest on Sunday, 6 April.
The peaceful demonstration was a response to the news of season ticket price increases for the 2025/26 campaign and other policy changes in recent months; however, it seems frustrations in the stands reached boiling point in at least one instance, as a man is said to have been forcibly removed.
Now, a few days on from the incident, The 1958 group who were among the core group of sit-in protestors have raised “a formal and urgent complaint” against CSG (Controlled Solutions Group) Security over the “unacceptable behaviour” from at least one steward.
🗣️Update on the incident in East Stand
Just in the way of an update we have spoken to the fan involved in the incident during the sit in protest on Sunday.
There are obviously some details we cannot reveal with respect to the fan involved and also for legal reasons.
Penning a letter to United CEO Omar Berrada directly, the vocal arm of supporters have called for “the complete removal of CSG security services from all home games” following a fracas shared multiple times on social media.
Although the fan remains anonymous out of respect for his privacy and for legal reasons, they claim that the individual was “physically assaulted by a steward without provocation”.
They go on to add that “others in the area were verbally abused with foul and aggressive language”, noting that the incident in took place in the East Stand happened in full of view of both young and elderly match-goers.
Writing in an early post after being made aware of the accusations, The 1958 said: “United fans should not be targeted or bullied for protesting legally and peacefully.”
Having been sent some of the footage directly prior to the letter, official channels and contacts were made aware immediately but are still waiting for response from the the club.
You can see more images from the sit-in protests down below, including an image of 81-year-old and lifelong Red, Michael Carney, who is being forced to give up his season tickets after 74 years to make room for new hospitality seats as part of the ‘New Trafford’ stadium designs.
As mentioned, the club are still yet to officially address the alleged assault of the fan during the sit-in protest United, but supporters are continuing to pile of the pressure both through further planned demonstrations and online.
The organisation go on to reiterate that the club were informed of the protest “well in advance of the game” and took their own measures to “ensure fans’ safety”.
Describing how the events unfolded as a failure before asking that the letter be shared with Manchester United’s data protection offer(s), the sign off as follows:
We ask for urgent confirmation that this issue is being investigated seriously and expect a full repoinse outlining the steps the club will take to address this matter.”
The Manc -
11th August 2020 
