Education

Schools have been told to keep children in class or year-sized “bubbles” and avoid creating “busy corridors” when all pupils return in September.

Staggered break times, putting children into “bubbles” and overhauling the curriculum are expected to be part of the guidelines in getting all children back into school this September.

A school trust says it has seen overwhelming backing from parents and pupils over its decision to restart some lessons in August.

Schools could be asked to create whole year-group ‘bubbles’ of up to 240 pupils under plans to ease classroom social distancing but ensure all children can return to the classroom in September.

A widely-used phrase throughout the past three months of lockdown has been: “We are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat.”

Vulnerable children are being referred to social services in Norfolk half as often as before the coronavirus lockdown came into force, it has been revealed.

Parents could be fined if they do not send their children back to school in September, the Education Secretary has said.

The Prime Minister will attempt to kick-start the economy after Covid-19 with a decade-long schools rebuilding plan.

Year 10 students at nine secondary schools across Norfolk and Waveney have started Saturday catch-up classes and will be returning early from their summer holidays, to make up for lessons lost during lockdown.