Government criticised for less “cautious” approach to school reopening in England than in other UK nations

England’s “big bang” approach to fully re-opening schools has come under fire from education unions as the government’s decision leaves the country out of step with the rest of the UK.

All pupils in England are to return to school from March 8^th, the Prime Minister announced yesterday, in a move which contrasts vividly with the more gradual strategy being pursued in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The move in England comes despite a newly-published paper from the government’s scientific advisory group estimating that fully re-opening schools fully could increase the covid infection rate by up to 50 per cent. It also reported that the autumn half-term had seen infection rates fall, before rising again after pupils returned to school.

What is going on elsewhere in the UK?

In Scotland, while pupils in years P1 to P3 (primary) returned to school yesterday (Monday February 22^nd), alongside up to eight per cent of secondary students, any return for other pupils – the clear majority – is unlikely before March 15^th, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.