WE are just two months into the new year, but for school children the start of 2021 has already been a disruptive one.
But with hopes that summer may be a little easier for the country after months of lockdown, will children still have their school holidays?
Will schools open in the summer holidays 2021?
The Prime Minister announced that all schools will reopen on March 8 as part of his roadmap out of lockdown.
It has been reported that Boris Johnson could keep schools open for a further two weeks in the summer term to help kids catch up.
The Prime Minister is said to be mulling a plan that would see schools have windows open in the warmer weather to reduce Covid risk.
The missed holiday time would then be added on to the autumn and winter breaks.
The move comes after MPs personally lobbied him to consider after-school classes run by volunteers.
The Prime Minister has announced schools cannot reopen before March 8, but 18 Conservative MPs have backed UsforThem – a campaign calling for schools to reopen on February 22.
The Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee told The Sunday Times, a change to the school year is under consideration by ministers.
“We have to reform the school year,” he told the paper.
But on Wednesday morning (24 February, 2021), it was announced Secondary schools will be asked to deliver summer schools as part of the Government’s catch-up programme for children in England who have faced disruption due to Covid-19.
Boris Johnson has announced an extra £400 million of funding – on top of the £300 million pledged in January – to help pupils make up lost learning time following months of school closures.
As part of the recovery package, summer provision will be introduced for pupils who need it the most, such as incoming Year 7 pupils, whilst one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will be expanded.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Our package of measures will deliver vital support to the children and young people who need it most, making sure everyone has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential no matter their background.”
And Mr Williamson did not rule out that a proposal of lengthening the school day is under consideration to help pupils catch up.
He told Sky News: “We’ll be looking at how we can boost and support children in a whole range of different manners.
“But it’s not just about time in school, it’s about supporting teachers in terms of the quality of teaching and how we can help them.”
When are England’s school summer holidays 2021?
English schools are currently due to finish for the summer holidays on July 23.
They last for six weeks, to give children and their teachers a well deserved break, but this year has been anything but normal.
A two-week extension would push their closing back to early August.
Schools have been closed, except for the children of keyworkers, since early January.
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