When will schools reopen in England? Here's what Boris Johnson says

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the Prime Minister told MPs getting pupils back in classrooms was the Government’s top priority.

But he said coronavirus case levels meant students would not return after half-term, but on March 8 at the earliest.

The date is based on progress in vaccinating the most vulnerable groups in society by mid-February and then giving the jab time to take effect.

He said: “The first sign of normality beginning to return should be pupils going back to their classrooms.

“I know how parents and teachers need as much certainty as possible including two weeks’ notice of the return of face-to-face teaching.

“So I must inform the House that for the reasons I have outlined it will not be possible to reopen schools immediately after the February half-term.

“But I know how frustrating will be for pupils and teachers who want nothing more than to get back to the classroom.

“And for parents and for carers who spent so many months juggling their day jobs, not only with home schooling but meeting the myriad other demands of their children from breakfast until bedtime.”

Alan Garnett, headteacher of North Primary School in Colchester, said having a date was helpful for parents, but warned it was unlikely all pupils would return in six weeks time.

He said: “I am sure parents will be pleased to see there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, but I would be surprised if schools will be open for all years groups from March 8 because the Government says a number of conditions need to be met for that to happen.

“Teachers would much rather have all their children in schools. Their workload at this time is enormous - managing lessons in school, remote learning, pastoral care as well as in some cases educating their own children.

“It is an incredibly challenging task and everybody should be appreciative of the efforts of teachers through lockdown one, lockdown two and lockdown three.”