The issue of pupils restarting school has been hot debate since the lockdown started. With the reopening of schools to some pupils on the 1st of June labelled by many as premature, Johnson has now stated that school will be compulsory by the start of the new Academic year, i.e. September 2020.
Johnson also stated that he “wants all pupils back in school by September”. Many parents groups and teaching unions are demanding more clarity from Johnson and the government regarding school reopening plans.
Many have argued that the approach Wales and Scotland have taken has been much clearer and therefore easier to work with. The argument of social distancing remains rife – how is it possible for students to socially distance? Especially younger ones, many state. More information on exactly how this return to the classroom will look like should be available closer to the start of the academic year.