Steve Brine welcomed the end of school bubbles and the consequential isolation, as the Secretary of State for Education out laid the Government’s education plans post July 19th.
Just last week, during a statement from the Health Secretary, the MP for Winchester voiced the frustration of many parents at the policy of precautionary isolation which can often see dozens of children sent home because of a potential contact with a virus case.
During the Education Secretary’s statement, Mr Brine also raised concerns over school events asking Gavin Williamson; “Isn't it the case, that sending the whole bubble home because of one positive case is no more necessary now than outdoor sports days being cancelled or held behind closed doors, or end of term events being ruined? Things that we never get back.
How can the Secretary of State, and his team, help colleagues across all educational settings feel supported to get the balance right, come the new term?”
Mr Williamson responded; “Well, my Honourable Friend picks upon the issue of sports days, and lets be absolutely clear the guidance is absolutely there in black and white, saying sports days can proceed. You know parents should be able to attend and we really encourage schools to be able to do that because he rightly points out, these are things that you can't get back, so this is why we wanted to be able to lift those restrictions at the very earliest possible moment.
If members, and I know my Honourable Friend is familiar with his regional school commissioner, if there are challenges having that local dialogue with regional school commissioner teams are an important part if they are having challenges in terms of dealing with their school directly.”
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