Coronavirus school closures – a timelinepublished at 11:07 BST
11:07 BST
We have been hearing from Gavin Williamson about school closures – or how there were no plans for school closures – during the pandemic.
Here’s a timeline to refresh what happened during 2020-2021.
March 2020: All four nations announce school closures to all but children of essential workers and those deemed most vulnerable.
Summer 2020: A phased reopening of schools in England begins on 1 June. In Wales, schools begin to reopen to all pupils from 29 June. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, schools remain closed to most pupils until August 2020. Exams across the nations are cancelled.
September 2020: Pupils across all four nations return to school, but measures such as bubbles and social distancing are in place.
January 2021: Schools open in England on 4 January, but then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a third lockdown in England on the same day. All schools close to most pupils from 5 January, with remote learning until February half term.
February – March 2021: A phased reopening of schools in Scotland and Wales begins on 22 February. In Northern Ireland, a phased return starts on 8 March. In England, all pupils return on 8 March and mass testing begins.
Summer 2021: For the second year running, GCSEs and A-levels (and National 5s and Highers in Scotland) are cancelled. Grades are decided by teachers using a series of evidence including mock exams, coursework and essays.
Image source, Reuters