A HEAD teacher says only children of key workers will be able to return when his school reopens.

Gary Birkett, head of Newbarns Primary School, said his plan for some pupils to return from June 1 is ‘tentative’ and ‘guidance is changing daily’.

The Government wants to begin a phased reopening of schools from June 1, starting with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes.

They have issued guidance to schools including to reduce class sizes.

“From June 1 we will look at how we can implement social distancing and sanitation measures in order to see how many children we can fit in,” said Mr Birkett.

“I have a tentative plan in place for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 but it isn’t confirmed and the guidance is changing daily.”

Chetwynde School, which has acted as a hub school (for children of key workers) throughout the lockdown so far, said its provisional plan is to accept Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils ‘no earlier than June 15’.

The school will only be open between normal hours of 9am to 3.30pm although free school meals - packed lunches - will continue to be delivered direct to pupils.

All hub schools in the area will close this Friday for half-term.

A number of other Barrow schools, including Vickerstown Primary School and Greengate Junior School, will open in the same way.

The Government’s aim for schools to reopen from June 1 - as long as infections and death rates continue to fall - has caused huge controversy among parents, teachers and unions, as reported in yesterday’s Mail.