Schools 'must come before pubs and restaurants in future' - BBC News

Anne Longfield says children have a right to education and, must not be an "afterthought", and that schools should be "first to open, last to close".

She said: "Too often during the first lockdown, children were an afterthought," adding: "If the choice has to be made in a local area about whether to keep pubs or schools open, then schools must always take priority."

Schools minister Nick Gibb told BBC Breakfast that children would be going back to school in September, "including those subject to local lockdowns"

He told BBC Breakfast: "Schools will be open for all pupils from September and we're now looking locally when we impose new restrictions and will depend on things locally."

Mother of three Joe Watson, who has been shielding due to severe asthma, says her children would love to go back to school

"We would love them to go back to school in September, that's my absolute hope for them - they miss their friends so much

Lorraine Hopkinson has an 11-year-old son who is due to start secondary school in September

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "School leaders are currently preparing their schools for all children to return in September, and are following all the government and health guidance they have been given in order to make it as safe as possible

Teresa Heritage, vice-chairwoman of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said councils would continue to work with all schools and local partners