Distancing could be scrapped and classes doubled to 30 in bid to get kids back in school

Plans to get all children back to school in September could see class numbers doubled to 30 and social distancing scrapped.

Under the current rules, every class can have a maximum of 15 pupils and all children must adhere to social distancing measures.

But from September, primary school pupils will not be required to keep apart from others, but just to stay away from different groups, so-called "bubbles", The Sun reports.

19/01/22What are the Covid rules in schools and will they stay open this term?

Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England's secondary school classrooms from 20 January.

17/01/22Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places needed over the next five years

Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places will be needed over the next five years.

11/01/22Covid: Face mask refusals in some of England's secondary schools spark parents' concern

Secondary school pupils in England returned from the Christmas break this week to new advice – to wear face coverings in lessons and to take lateral flow tests at school before heading into classrooms.

19/10/21Further strikes threatened at universities this term

Students could face more strike action at universities this term after the academics' union opened a ballot over pay, pensions and conditions. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said the UK's flagship university sector was built on the "exploitation of staff". They had experienced a decade of pension cuts, collapsing pay and insecure contracts, she said. University employers said the prospect of disruption was "disappointing".

01/10/21What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?

Department for Education says 2022 will be a ‘transition year’