Boris Johnson has confirmed schools in England will start to reopen on June 1. The Prime Minister said reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils will be the first to go back during today's coronavirus press conference.
Despite acknowledging that some schools will not be able to reopen on June 1, Mr Johnson argued it was crucial for children to return to the classroom.
However the plans face serious opposition, with councils in Liverpool, Hartlepool, Birmingham, Solihull and Essex all previously saying the June 1 date may not be possible.
Mr Johnson said: "Today, I can announce it is our intention to go ahead with that as planned on June 1, a week on Monday. "We then intend from June 15 for secondary schools to provide some contact for year 10