‘We may need to be patient for longer’ says Sheffield education executive about school return

Stephen Betts, CEO of Learn Sheffield, welcomed promises by the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to give schools and parents two weeks notice of when children were going to return.

Speaking earlier this week, Mr Williamson said that he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the “earliest possible opportunity” – a message which has been echoed by Boris Johnson who is now facing pressure to set out a timetable for pupils to return.

Mr Betts agreed that the reopening of school should be a national priority but said we may have to wait even longer for this to happen.

He said: “It is important that there is adequate warning when settings are opening more widely again. Overnight announcements with guidance to follow in a few days do not support schools or families to plan.

"The Education Secretary has suggested that there will be at least two weeks’ notice before the next change and this is welcome. Getting all children and young people back in schools and colleges is rightly a national priority but we may need to be patient for longer than we had hoped before this can happen.”

The Prime Minister said the Government would be “looking at the potential of relaxing some measures” as England’s lockdown restrictions are reviewed on February 15 but could not guarantee that pupils would return to classes before Easter.

The news that that there will be no return to the classroom after the February half-term break is widely expected to be confirmed by Mr Williamson this week.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.