ALL pupils to return to school in Scotland in three weeks-piling pressure to get English kids back on time

ALL pupils will return to school in Scotland in three weeks- piling pressure on the Education Secretary to get English kids back on time.

Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed schools in Scotland will return on a full-time basis after the summer break.

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Speaking in Holyrood, the Scottish First Minister insisted it was a “moral and educational imperative” to get all kids back.

She said: “In fact, a key reason for our cautious approach to lockdown over the last two months and over the next few weeks, is a determination to drive the virus down and keep prevalence low, so that schools can reopen in August.

“I am therefore pleased to confirm today that schools will return from August 11.

“Given how long children have been out of school, some local authorities may opt for a phased return over the first few days.

“But we expect all pupils to be at school full-time from August 18 at the latest.”

Ms Sturgeon also announced an education spending spree to get more teachers and expanded safety measures.

She explained: “I can also confirm that – in addition to the £45 million previously announced – we will make a further £30 million available to support the recruitment of additional teachers.

“In addition, will invest a further £30 million – on top of £20 million already announced – as part of a £50 million education recovery fund for local authorities.

“This will support extra cleaning, facilities management, school transport and other practical measures that are vital in ensuring a safe return to school.”

The news will pile pressure on the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and his vow to get all kids back by September.

Only kids in reception, year one and year six were allowed to return to the classrooms before summer holidays due to the coronavirus outbreak, but other years can come back if there's space.

Secondary schools in England have also been allowed to reopen for some students from Years 10, 11 and 12 since June 15.

Mr Williamson has previously confirmed that parents have no choice but to send their kids back and will face fines if they don't.

He said: “We are making schools compulsory. We know how important it is for our children to be going back to school.

“We’ve made it clear that it is compulsory - parents need to be sending their children back to school.

“Ultimately if they continue to ignore the fact that their children should be in schools, if they continue to fail to work with the schools to get their children back well then at the most extreme level they could be liable to a fine.”

The Government had to abandon plans to get every primary school child back in for a month before the summer.