Just HALF of primary schools reopened to more kids last week, fresh data reveals

JUST half of primary schools reopened to more kids last week, fresh data has revealed.

New figures from the Department of Education show only 52 per cent opened their doors to children from nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

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The shocking numbers show just 659,000 children were at school last Thursday, 6.9 per cent of all pupils who normally attend.

However, it's not yet know how many kids were eligible to attend last week in the first place.

The figures are almost double what they were two weeks ago, with thousands of extra kids in school.

Announcing the figures today, the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson claimed 70 per cent of all schools were now open.

Mr Williamson also admitted defeat in the Government's bid for all pupils in England to return to primary school before the summer holidays.

The news comes as:

• Mr Williamson said that "we will be working to bring all children back to school in September" as planned.
• Exams will take place next year as planned for A Level and GCSE kids
• Years 10 and 12 to get some teacher time from next week
• The Children’s Commissioner accused the Government of prioritising reopening pubs over kids’
• Schools could have to shut if the local R level of transmission goes up again

The Education Secretary also said today that only some pupils will be welcomed back in to schools over the next month - if they have enough space to do so safely.

As The Sun revealed last night the plan for all primary school kids to return for a month before the summer holidays has been officially ditched.

In a Commons statement this lunchtime he said: "We are not able to welcome all primary for a full month before the summer."

But Mr Williamson said that "we will be working to bring all children back to school in September" as planned.

There won't be any local plans to keep all schools in any one area shut.

"We do need to bring schools back in every part of this country," he said.

Gavin Williamson said the Government "will not hesitate" to act if the R rate reaches above one in local areas.