Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which school years he plans to prioritise in the second phased return to school.

From 1 June, the Department asked primary schools to welcome back pupils in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6. From 15 June, the Department will ask secondary schools and colleges to provide some face-to-face support for pupils who are due to take exams next year, such as pupils in years 10 and 12 as well as 16 to 19 students in the first year of a 2-year study programme.

The Department will continue to be informed by the latest scientific advice. Schools will only be asked to welcome back additional year groups if the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by COVID-19 indicates it is appropriate to have larger numbers of children within schools.