Education Settings: Wider Opening

David Johnston Excerpts

Tuesday 9th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

I remind colleagues that I would like to get everybody in, but that means short questions and short answers.

[David Johnston (Wantage) (Con)]

When the Children’s Commissioner appeared before the Education Committee last week, she said that if no further children went back to school before September, 8 million children will have missed six months of learning. Given what we know already happens over the summer holidays, does my right hon. Friend agree that that is too long and that any school that conceivably can open should do so?

[Gavin Williamson]

I want to see all schools open, and that is why we will continue to work with all schools to look at how they can accept more and more pupils, making sure that all children have the amazing opportunity of learning from their teachers. I am very optimistic that we will see more children returning to school and the number of children attending school increasing week upon week.