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Education secretary pressed on FSM vouchers and phased re-opening of schools

Legislation and guidance Interventions Government policy Whole-school issues Senior leadership Narrowing the Gap Coronavirus
A phased re-opening of schools, a pledge to tackle the problems in the national FSM voucher system, and a refusal to be drawn on the proposed £700 catch-up premium – Pete Henshaw reports on education Gavin Williamson’s appearance before MPs this week

The education secretary has confirmed that the re-opening of schools will be phased once the coronavirus lockdown is lifted, although no date has been set.

He has said that the Department for Education (DfE) will study closely how schools are re-opened in other countries such as Germany and Denmark, but has ruled out asking schools in England to open over the summer holidays.

Appearing before the Education Select Committee in a virtual hearing held on Wednesday (April 29), Gavin Williamson said that a SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) sub-group has been set-up in order to advise the DfE on how schools can be re-opened safely.

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