Children last night told of their desperation to return to school as the Government announced a £1billion “Covid catch-up” plan for kids.
Youngsters missing their classmates revealed they wanted to get back to lessons and see their friends again.
Boris Johnson today unveiled cash dedicated to helping pupils at risk of falling behind because they have been shut out of lessons for the last three months.
There is no guarantee all children will be able to go back in September – by when they will have spent six months away.
The Prime Minister, who is expected to visit a school today, said: “This £1billion catch-up package will help headteachers to provide extra support to children who have fallen behind while out of school.
“I am determined to do everything I can to get all children back in school from September, and we will bring forward plans on how this will happen as soon as possible.”
The UK death toll from Covid-19 hit 42,288 yesterday – up 135.
The Government's education drive comes after the Mirror yesterday launched our Get Our Children Back To School campaign.
Experts say easing the two-metre social-distancing rule is key to fully reopening schools.
Speaking at last night's Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are working on what is needed to get all schools open in September, and there is a review into the current two-metre rule.
“But the two-metre rule is in itself a social distancing measure.
"Removing it has an impact in terms of the transmission of the disease, so we have to make sure in that review that we have the space and the virus is under control enough to be able to make the change and replace the two-metre rule, if that is the conclusion of the review, with something that then makes it easier to do things like have people together in schools.”
The growing crisis in education in England has seen millions of kids unable to attend classes since the unprecedented Covid-19 lockdown ordered in March.
Parents have been battling to homeschool youngsters amid fears some will fall behind their peers.
A report by University College London's Institute of Education found two million children have done less than an hour a day of schoolwork during the lockdown.
The Prime Minister said £650million will be shared across state primaries and secondary schools over the next academic year.
A £350million National Tutoring Programme will boost access to tuition for the poorest kids.
The Education Endowment Foundation has published a guide to help headteachers decide how to spend the cash.
They'll be expected to spend the cash on 'evidence-based interventions', particularly small group tuition.
Suggestions include setting up summer schools and increasing “teaching capacity”.
Children could work longer days next term to make up for time lost during the crisis, under one proposal.
Boris Johnson to announce 'air bridges' on June 29 with low coronavirus rate countries
Another could see schools use cash to hire private tutors to help children from the poorest households catch-up with counterparts from wealthier families.
Education Endowment Foundation chief executive Professor Becky Francis said: “Tutoring is the catch-up approach supported by the strongest evidence we have.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to offer bespoke support for disadvantaged pupils, and to build a positive legacy from the present crisis.”
The Government said it hopes school holiday clubs will run over the summer, as pupils told of their hopes of going back to school.
Meet the children desperate to go back
Six-year-old Evan Dickinson from Rossendale, Lancs, cannot wait to return to Waterfoot Primary.
Evan said: "I really want to go back to school and play with all my friends.
“My favourite subject is maths and I really want to do more work."
Eve Tucker, 13, from Upminster, Essex, said: “I want to go back to school because it's hard to concentrate at home and I've just had enough of it now.
How you have helped the Wildlife Trusts with a share of £600m during the coronavirus crisis
Wildlife wardens Nathan Wilkie and Sylwia Zbijewska have spent lockdown alone on a remote island off the Pembrokeshire coast protecting puffins.
It's all thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – part of a wider £600m National Lottery allocation to help projects affected by the pandemic’s impact – that the pair have been able to continue their vital work.
Nathan said: “We appreciate all the support from The National Lottery and the people who play it.” Click here to read their incredible story. Visit national-lottery.co.uk/news to learn more about how you’re helping.
“It's made me not like learning any more and I miss seeing people other than just my two brothers.
'My school has been great at checking we are OK every day but I know kids at other schools who are really struggling.
“I don't understand how now I'm allowed to go to Primark – which I do enjoy – but not to school.”
Rufus Yule, seven, said: "I miss my friends and I love playing with them in the playground.
"I can't wait to do PE and art super learning day. I want to go back to school like my big brother."
His brother, Max Yule, 10, goes to Pudsey Primrose Hill School, Leeds, and is going to go back to school soon.
He said: "I like school and miss it a lot, I especially miss my friends.
“I've spoken to some on the phone but it's not the same as when we're all together.
"I miss my teacher Miss Colman, she's miles better at teaching than my mum. It's more fun to be taught by a proper teacher."
Alfie Isherwood, 13, from Bury, Gtr Manchester, normally hates school.
But he even asked his mum to ring his head of year at Elton High School to see if he could return.
Alfie said: "I don't like school normally but I am really ready to go back.
“My mum has been really good homeschooling but it isn't the same, I've found it really hard.
“I realise I work better when I am with my mates."
Holly Norton, aged eight, from Doncaster, South Yorks, said: "I want to go back to school because I miss my friends and at school we get to play in the playground.
"It's easier to do work at school because there's a teacher and I like school dinners."
Bobby Blair, eight, from Warrington, Cheshire, was itching to get back to Barrow Hall Primary School.
He said: “I’m missing PE and playing with my mates at break time. I’m also missing playing football and can't wait to get back."
Esther Bird, 14, goes to Tytherington School, Macclesfield, Cheshire, and said: “ The impacts of this crisis on our learning will affect all of us. It worries me to see the gap growing between state and private education.”
Claire Muhlawako Madzura, 15, of Co-op Academy, Swinton, Gtr Manchester, said: “It is the duty of those with power to protect the nation’s young.”
George Hellyer, six, from Redbourn, Herts, says: "I miss everything about school but especially playing with my friends Tanveer and Benji. I can't wait to go back."
Gethin and Gwen Randerson, from Birmingham, miss their friends and teachers.
Gwen, nine, says: “I miss having fun with my friends and everyone else in my class. My favourite subject is English and Maths, which I also miss. I last saw my friends on the doorstep about three weeks ago, but it’s not the same. I miss my teachers too.”
Gethin, 11, is supposed to start secondary school in September but plans are now uncertain. He’s missed out on a three-day residential trip, a tradition at his school before Year 6 pupils leave.
He says: “I was supposed to go to a cabin with all my friends but I won’t now. I miss my friends and also the school lunches - we had some amazing school dinners! There’s every chance I might only end up having one day of Primary school left.”
Ted Althorpe, six, from Weldon, Northamptonshire, says: "I want to go back to school to see all my friends and my teacher, I miss them and miss playing with them.
"I'm sad that my big sister got to go back and I'm not allowed to and we have a new trim trail!"
Ben Thornbury, 15, from Malmesbury, Wiltshire, says: "I want to go back to school so bad for more than just a day in September as it’s so important for me to get back.
"Year 10 is such an important year for me as I take my GCSE’s next year and I’m not learning as much as I would be if I was at school in the classroom.
"I’ve been one to do all my school work at home and get it all done as I know it’s important.
"Not only that but to get my routine back and meet up with my friends again and check up on each other. If we don’t get back soon we will have a lot of stuff to catch up on so we need to get back in September hopefully”.
Teachers' leaders last night issued their plan to get children ready for the classroom again by September.
The National Education Union unveiled a blueprint designed at boosting kids over the summer so they are prepared for lessons at the start of the new school year.
The “Summer 2020 Local Offer” initiative would see schemes setup for the six-week holiday covering exercise, “activities which children and young people will enjoy and be keen to participate in, to support their wellbeing and sense of self-belief” and “creative opportunities such as dance, art, music, science and adventure playgrounds”.
The NEU says a “proactive approach is needed if we’re to respond to the experiences of children and young people during lockdown, and the pressure on them and their families”.
It adds: “It is really important that we respond to the anxiety and uncertainty that young people are facing, and coordinate a positive and ambitious offer for Summer Holiday 2020 which helps children and young people get ready to learn in September.”
National Association of Headteachers General Secretary Paul Whiteman said: “This is a considerable sum of money which will empower schools to provide the support that pupils will need as they return to school.
“We welcome the fact that school leaders will be able to use their expertise to choose how to spend the money.
“This demonstrates that the Secretary of State understands that school leaders are best placed to decide what their pupils need.
“NAHT has also asked the Government to follow the evidence on what works, and they appear to have done this.
“We have argued that a longer-term response is the right way forward, rather than short-term quick fixes that won’t have a sustained impact for pupils.
“No doubt there will be many details still to be worked through and we will continue to engage with the Government to make sure they work with school leaders and their teams, drawing on their commitment and expertise, to produce a long-term, joined up and fully funded package of help.”