Ministers will DELAY reopening of classrooms after Christmas with a 'staggered' return for pupils and online lessons amid surge in Covid cases - days after Gavin Williamson threatened councils with legal action if they closed early

Millions of secondary school pupils in England will have their return to school delayed by up to a week after the Christmas holidays amid a Covid crisis in the classroom.

Downing Street confirmed that the planned January 4 and 5 restart would now be 'staggered' with the use of online lessons, with full face-to-face learning beginning on January 11.

It came as figures showed more than half of schools in England had coronavirus cases during the first two weeks of November's lockdown and those aged 12-18 have the highest infection rate of any age group. 

The move comes just days after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson took legal action against London councils which wanted to close schools early before Christmas.

He is expected to outline the post-Christmas plan more fully later today. 

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The start of the term won't be delayed but what we are doing is asking secondary schools and colleges to operate a staggered return supported by full-time remote education during the first week of term with in-person teaching in full starting on January 11.

'Students in exam year groups, vulnerable children, children of key workers, will attend school or college in person from the start of term as well as students in primary, special and alternative provision schools and colleges.'       

The staggered return will coincide with an increase in on-site testing, Mr Willamson announced today 

Susan Acland-Hood, the top civil servant at the Department for Education, was unable to confirm to MPs today that schools would go back on time.

Facing the Public Accounts Committee she said there were no plans to extend the Christmas holiday. But she added: 'There are conversations going on about exactly how parents and pupils will go back at the beginning of January'

The staggered return will coincide with an increase in on-site testing, Mr Willamson announced today.

Schools and colleges will be able to establish testing to offer students two rapid tests three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test. 

Mr Williamson said: 'This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the wider community.

'Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.

'The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing. Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams, it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all, while keeping schools as safe as possible.'

Susan Acland-Hood, the top civil servant at the Department for Education, was unable to confirm to MPs today that schools would go back on time, ahead of the announcement.

Facing the Public Accounts Committee she said there were no plans to extend the Christmas holiday.

But she added: 'There are conversations going on about exactly how parents and pupils will go back at the beginning of January, but I'm afraid I can't speak to the committee about that this morning...

'I cannot communicate a decision that has not yet been made or communicated by ministers.'  

On Monday Mr Williamson issued a temporary continuity direction to Greenwich Council after it told local schools to move lessons online.  

England's chief inspector of schools, Ofsted boss Amanda Spielman, blasted councils for taking the 'easy' option as parents and children had been left in limbo after the Government became locked in a legal battle with left-wing councils and education unions in an effort to keep schools open.

Meg Hillier, the PAC chairwoman, said today it was 'ludicrous' that on the last day of term for many schools in England that parents and school leaders do not know what is happening in the first week of January. 

Speaking about events in London this week, Ms Hillier said parents have had 'very confusing messages' from Government and local authorities.

She said: 'So it's just a complete dog's breakfast out there. Parents don't know from day to day whether their child is going to be in school, partly because of Covid, but then this layered on top is unacceptable, surely?' 

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union , said the Government's announcement on the last day of term demonstrated 'ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action' in response to the rise in Covid-19 rates among pupils.

She added: 'The presence of year 11 and 13 pupils on the school site at the same time as the testing arrangements and procedures are being put in place will be extremely problematic.

'It is highly likely that these pupils will return from their Christmas holiday with higher levels of Covid-19 infection.

'Those who test positive will be required to isolate, which involves a huge amount of school staff taking the time to contact parents and to trace close contacts.'