Updated: Tuesday 12th May 2020

Unity Schools Partnership, and all our member schools, of course want to see our children return to school - when it is safe to do so.

We have seen the Government announcement that if conditions allow there may be a phased reopening of primary schools from 1st June with children in reception classes and in Years 1 and 6 to be the first to return.

We are pleased that secondary pupils in Years 10 and 12 taking exams next year will also have some time in school this term.

We will be closely following Government guidance that we expect about the possible phased reopening of schools. The safety of both children and staff are paramount to us and we will be working over the next few weeks on plans to maximise whatever expectations are set out for social distancing in schools.

We will be talking with trade unions and colleagues in other schools in our areas and will be contacting parents about the detailed arrangements that will be needed and when children in different classes will be invited back to school.

Not all our staff are able to return to school yet and we will be making sure that we have sufficient staff for the number of children that will be in school.

We recognise that parents of children in reception classes and in Years 1 and 6 may be anxious about what schools partially reopening will mean and we will welcome their thoughts on our plans as they emerge in the coming week.

We will provide more information as we have it about expectations for other year groups, and the children who have already been attending school.