NI School Return Announced. Looking unlikely for full return across UK?

[schoolreturnni]

Have done a NC for this as this 'outs' my location.

So today Northern Ireland have announced a return of p1-p3 (YR-Y2) from 8th March until 22nd March they will then go back to remote learning until Easter to allow key exam years Y12-14 to have some face to face teaching before Easter.

The rest of primary and post primary will not be returning before Easter.

This would seem to follow similarly with Scotland so is it looking increasingly unlikely that there will be a full return or even a full primary return on the 8th March in England ?

I would say it's sensible. Our figures in England are worse than those in NI and Scotland. Would be utter madness to open all school years at once on March 8th. Sensible decision by NI.

I'm betting on it being either all of primary or only younger years with secondaries after Easter. Boris is under such pressure that he'll have to be seen to be doing something now that things are improving. I think it's highly unlikely all school years will remain at home until after Easter, but who knows. Will feel so much better on Monday just knowing what the plan is tbh. The media speculation is awful.

The most recent REACT survey figures suggested we have similar levels to the second half of September. This was when scientists were urging for a circuit break. So levels are still quite high. I'd agree that we need to be really careful not to leave lockdown too soon.

I think it will be similar to NI. I think the younger children are really struggling with online learning and a year in their life is so significant.