PRIMARY schools in Thurrock have been confirmed as among those that will face a delay in reopening next week. Secondary school and college students will also not be going back as planned.

Earlier today (Wednesday, 30 December) Education Secretary Gavin Williamson briefed MPS in the House of Commons and said the "overwhelming majority" of primary schools will open as planned on 4 January.

However, he said there would be a number of exceptions and it has now been confirmed Thurrock is among them. Mr Williamson said: "In a small number of areas where the infection rates are highest, we will implement our existing contingency framework, such that only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will attend face to face.

"This is being used only as a last resort," he continued. "This is not all tier four areas," adding that the areas will be reviewed regularly so schools can open to all pupils as early as possible.

Because the Covid infection rate is particularly high among secondary school age pupils, Mr Williamson said the government will allow more time so every school is able to fully roll out testing for all pupils and staff.

He says all pupils in exam years will return during the week beginning 11 January, with all secondary and college pupils returning full-time on the 18 January.

During the first week of term after 4 January, secondary schools and colleges will prepare to test as many staff and students as possible and will also only be open to vulnerable children and children of key workers, he said.

Mr Williamson didn't say whether schools will be expected to provide remote education for pupils not attending on-site. However a new legal duty means schools must provide remote education for pupils not able to attend school.

He added that military personnel will provide virtual training to help with testing, with teams on standby to provide in-person support if needed.

The education secretary also said that A-level and GCSE exams will go ahead as planned. He also said vocational exams due to take place in the first two weeks of next term will also go ahead.