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<p>The Government wants to get all children and young people back into education as
soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn.
We know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions
with their peers, carers and teachers.</p><p>From the week commencing 15 June, the
Department has asked schools with sixth forms and further education providers, which
includes sixth form colleges, to offer some face-to-face support to pupils in Year
12 and to 16-19 students in the first year of a two-year study programme. Remote education
should, however, remain the predominant mode of education for these students at this
time. This applies schools in all parts of England.</p><p>Whilst we are unable to
welcome back more sixth form students at this time, we have recently announced that
other students under 19 years old can be offered a face-to-face meeting before the
end of the summer term, where it would be beneficial. As long as this happens in line
with wider protective measures guidance, and guidance on the numbers of pupils permitted
on-site at any one time, we would encourage this where possible.</p><p>Our priority
is to ensure that sixth form students can progress as planned, including starting
university, moving into apprenticeships or securing a job.</p><p>We have published
a planning guide for secondary schools (including those with sixth forms) to help
school leaders to prepare and decide arrangements, which is available here:<br> <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-schools-from-1-june/planning-guide-for-secondary-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-schools-from-1-june/planning-guide-for-secondary-schools</a>.</p><p>We
have also published guidance for further education providers, which is available here:<br>
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/maintaining-education-and-skills-training-provision-further-education-providers"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/maintaining-education-and-skills-training-provision-further-education-providers</a>.</p><p>The
Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) continues to be in regular dialogue with
all sixth form colleges in Greater Manchester to establish their plans to continue
to support sixth form learners.</p>
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