Boris Johnson insists schools are ’safe’ and urges parents to send kids back

The Prime Minister has said he doesn’t want children missing vital education, and has urged parents to send their children back to school.

Speaking at the Number 10 press briefing on Tuesday, Boris Johnson said there is ‘no need’ for children to miss out on education. 

He explained: “It has also been very good to see more and more children coming back to school this week.

“Some secondary school pupils now returning for face to face contact with their teachers ahead of the exams next year, but I want to say to all parents whose children are eligible to return in primary school – and there are loads of them – I want to assure you it is safe.”

This month millions of primary school children returned to classrooms, and Year 10 and Year 12 began to make the same move.

However, official stats have found that only 868,000 children were actually at school, which is only one in ten of the usual number.

A study by Parentkind in May found that 90% of parents didn’t want to send their children back to school when the lockdown was eased. 

Chief Executive of Parentkind, John Jolly said: “Overwhelmingly parents tell us that they do not want their children to go back to school until it is safe to do so, with most wanting clarity on when this could be.

“It is vital that parents’ voices are heard and shape government action.”

National Education Union general secretary Kevin Courtney, said: “We agree with parents that schools should not return until it is safe to do so.”

There are only around five weeks left until the summer holidays begin but most parents are still fearful their children will catch COVID-19 in school during this time. 

Boris Johnson added in his briefing: “There is no need for your kids to miss out on their education. I hope they will go to school.”