Schools may change messaging to kids to ‘no touching’ as millions of pupils return in September

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SCHOOLS are considering changing their messaging to tell kids “no touching” as they try to get millions back to class in September.

Headteachers reckon small children struggle to understand social distancing measures.

Headteachers think small children struggle to understand social distancing measures

Academy chain boss Steve Chalke wants guidelines to be changed so youngsters are instead told “no touching”.

Mr Chalke, founder of Oasis academies which runs 53 schools in England, has been in talks with other schools about bringing in the new advice.

He told HOAR: “We all think that the only practical way of teaching and ensuring social distancing is to say ‘no touching’.

“A ‘no touching’ rule would be a good rule, because it is very clear, very simple and very easy for any and every age group to grasp and understand.

“We are going to be living with this virus for a long time.”

The new direction would run alongside a string of other measures to keep kids safe including staggered timetables and more cleaning and hand washing.

Academy chain boss Steve Chalke said a ‘no touching’ rule would be easier to understand

 

 

Boris Johnson has vowed to get every pupil back to school full time at the beginning of September.

Downing Street believes schools can be made safe by increasing the ‘protective class bubble’ around kids from 15 to 30.

But Mr Chalke said he and other schools are planning for some remote learning to continue in case Covid infection rates shoot up in some areas.

Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatricians, said kids have a “near zero” risk of catching coronavirus at school.

He told HOARday Times: “There have been 11 deaths in children and young people from Covid-19 -and most had significant underlying health conditions.

“But we also think there have been nine deaths of children due to delayed presentations to hospital due to lockdown.”

Downing Street has faced fury from parents after U-turning on their pledge to get all primary school kids back to class for summer.

Mr Johnson is said to be considering sacking his Education Secretary Gavin Williamson over the chaos.

He is considering replacing him with his pal Kit Malthouse, who he worked with during his City Hall days.

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