PRIMARY schools in England will not be welcoming back all pupils before September, it has been confirmed.

Today, June 9, education secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs that it will not be possible for all primary pupils to return to school before the summer holidays.

This does not affect pupils in nursery, reception or years one and six.

The news come just days after some primary schools in Northwich and Winsford decided against letting more children return on June 8 as planned, following reports that the north west 'R' value had risen above one.

A phased reopening for primary schools in Middlewich, Knutsford and Wilmslow is still expected to take place later this month.

The Government originally proposed that once schools reopened to early years, reception, year one and year six, remaining primary years could spend up to four weeks in school.

But now, schools will not be required to welcome back these remaining pupils.

Department for Education guidance says school classes should be capped at 15 pupils, but some schools have admitted fewer pupils than this during the phased reopening, limited by classroom sizes, the need for social distancing and inadequate staff numbers.

Headteachers’ leaders said it had never been a practical possibility to open schools further, however those with the measures in place may be able to accept additional pupils within the rules.

Mr Williamson said the Government would like to see schools who 'have the capacity' bring back more pupils where possible before the summer break.

Addressing concerns about the R rate in the north west, Gavin Williamson said the Government 'will not hesitate' to act if the R rate reaches above one.

He told MPs: "I know that schools need time to put in place the strict protective measures we have asked for and we continue to work with the sector to make sure any schools experiencing difficulties are supported to open more widely as soon as it is possible.

"Some schools in areas such as the north west are concerned about local rates of transmission.

"I can assure them that Sage’s R estimate for the whole of the UK is below one.

"If robust data shows that local action needs to be taken, we will not hesitate to do so. But we are not in that position."

Children of key workers and vulnerable youngsters will continue to be taught this school year.

Schools in Cheshire West, including Northwich and Winsford, had been supported by the council in making their own decisions on whether it would be safe for more pupils to return from Monday.

Meanwhile, in a statement released on Monday, Labour Cheshire East councillors hailed their phased approach for schools in the borough, including Knutsford, Wilmslow and Middlewich.

Cllr James Barber, the council's champion for young people, said: "CEC took the correct decision in issuing guidance to keep our schools closed when the government was encouraging them to open.

"Our decision has been justified by the reported subsequent rise in 'R' rate in the north west.”