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1/7 We know that the longer children are out of the classroom, the faster existing inequalities between children will widen which is why getting back to school when it is safe to do so is so important,
2/7 but as this survey shows a significant number of families are rightly concerned about sending their children back https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14848
3/7 To reassure parents, schools staff and pupils about safety the Government needs to publish the science behind a June wider reopening,
4/7 have testing, tracking and tracing in place and work with trade unions, parents and the sector to create and agree upon stringent safety criteria that each school must have in place.
5/7 When schools do reopen, they will also need support to provide the academic, emotional, and pastoral care that children will need to re-engage with their education, especially those who have been at a disadvantage whilst out of school.
6/7 We must also recognise that child poverty and the educational inequality that sits alongside it is not just a symptom of lockdown and the wider reopening of schools alone is no panacea.
7/7 If the Government is serious about equality of opportunity it must tackle child poverty through the Coronavirus economic recovery plan.
