CHILDREN face an “Ice Age” in learning if schools cannot reopen in September, an MP has warned.
Tory Robert Halfon wants summer camps for millions of kids — on top of those from poorer backgrounds.
His call came after No 10 confirmed all schools in England will shut for summer holidays from late July.
Many stayed open at Easter and May half term so nurses, doctors and key staff could work on.
The PM has pledged a “big summer of catch up” for pupils whose learning has already been disrupted for three months. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will unveil measures — likely to include a national tutor service — next week.
Mr Halfon, who chairs the education select committee, said: “If schools don’t open in September we will have an Ice Age in terms of children’s learning.”
The MP added that “Alan Turing” camps — in honour of the wartime codebreaker — could be vital. He said: “The Government has always said schools are going to close over summer.
“But it is all the more reason why we need an Alan Turing catch-up programme to help them. I wouldn’t turn any child away from learning, absolutely anyone.”
The PM had vowed at Wednesday’s No 10 briefing to unveil a catch-up programme. He said: “We’re going to get all schools back in September if we possibly can But it’s going to be a big summer of catch up.”
“We’re going to keep making sure kids get the remedial help that they need for the stuff that they’ve missed for months and months to come, so that they genuinely make up for lost time.”
Asked if holiday closures left key workers in a hole, the PM’s spokesman said: “There would have been a reasonable expectation that parents would expect schools to not be open over the course of the summer.”
Earlier Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman urged a “more optimistic approach” from ministers and teachers, adding: “It should be about what we can do, not what we can’t.”
