Plymouth children cannot be expected to keep two metres apart when they return to schools and nurseries, city education chiefs have confirmed.

The city council has said that the youngest pupils cannot keep social distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus while back with their friends.

The Government wants most children in nurseries, reception, early years and Year 6 of primary schools to return after the half-term holidays on June 1.

Only the children of key workers such as medical staff have been attending since the lockdown started at the end of March.

PlymouthLive has been sent several pictures of staff and children at one city primary taking part in activities less than the two metres apart.

But Government guidelines state that primary children, unlike secondary school students, could not be expected to keep two metres apart – and that has been echoed by Plymouth City Council.

 File photo of school children in a classroom
Pupils sitting at their desks before the lockdown. File picture

Teaching unions and about a dozen councils across the country have said they are worried that a week on Monday may be too soon to return to school.

Plymouth’s own councillor in charge of schools said last week that it was “way too soon” without more evidence of staff and student safety.

But the authority is supporting primaries and nurseries in meeting the return date.

A Plymouth City Council spokesman said last night: "Like many local authorities, we are supporting our schools to open to Early Years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils from Monday 1 June if possible, following government guidelines.

"These acknowledge that while schools need to make every effort to maintain social distancing, early years and primary age children cannot be expected to always remain two metres apart from each other and staff."

Independently-run academies can make their own decisions to return.

Council Cabinet member Cllr Taylor has already said: “We're very nervous and we know that teachers and head teachers feel the same.

“We suspect that many parents will, too. It is our firm belief that 1 June is way too soon to send children back to school.

“The Government has said all along that they would be guided by science. But I’ve seen no evidence to suggest there is any science behind this decision.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in his televised address on May 9, said that the decision would be kept under review.

His spokesman said on Monday that a decision would be made this week.

Government guidance is that classes will be limited to 15 pupils, prompting concerns from unions about a need for more teachers.

Staff will not be provided with PPE but pupils with symptoms will receive tests.

There is also advice for schools to stagger breaks and pick-up and drop-off times, though this will be down to individual primaries.

The Department for Education has said secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges would also work towards the possibility of providing some face-to-face contact with young people in Year 10 and Year 12 to help them prepare for exams next year.