Minister cannot say whether all primary pupils will return before summer holidays

It was previously announced that all primary school pupils in England should be able to go back to school for a month before the summer break began in July and August

An education minister has said it is “difficult to say” whether all primary school children will be back in school before the summer holidays in line with government plans.

It was previously announced that all primary school pupils in England should be able to go back to school for a month before the summer break began in July and August.

Schools Standards minister Nick Gibb has told MPs in the Education Select Committee that the final decision will be led by the science.

He said: “We don’t know until we see more evidence of the R factor continuing to reduce over the next few weeks.”

Boris Johnson is pushing ahead with plans to reopen primary schools to reception, year one, and year six from June 1.

Mr Gibb suggested that rotations could be introduced if primary schools are later reopened to years two to five to ensure social distancing takes place.

The minister confirmed that a final decision on whether schools will reopen to reception, year one and year six will be taken on Thursday after the Government has reviewed scientific evidence.

MPs asked the minister to explain why a single national approach was being taken to reopen schools when there are large regional differences in level of infection, such as the north of England, and to set out how the government is reassuring the public that schools are safe to reopen from Monday.

He told them: “I am very optimistic and confident that the vast majority of local authorities are planning to reopen their primary reception, year one and year six from June 1.”

He acknowledged there are some areas in the country which have “issues” with reopening in the next few weeks, but he said the Department for Education is working with these councils.

Addressing Mr Gibb, Tory MP Jonathan Gullis said: “We have obviously talked about that we are not going to open until we know the science is safe and the government has given a strong message about that.

“Unfortunately the events over the bank holiday weekend by Mr Dominic Cummings has meant the government’s message has been undermined.

“Even though the law may not have been broken, the spirit of the law has indeed been broken.”

Mr Gullis, the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said he has been contacted by parents, teachers and academy chains asking how they can regain confidence in the government’s messaging.

In response to the questioning, Mr Gibb said: “The more we all adhere to the rules, the more that we’ll be able to make further progress in reopening schools.”