Ministers set to end automatic isolation for pupils in England

England’s Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said there was an urgent need for children to get back to normal as lockdown restrictions had been a “real trauma” for many young people.

Grouping pupils into bubbles – often made up of their year group or form which has to quarantine when one child tests positive for Covid – should end as soon as possible, she told the Daily Telegraph.

She added that the need for children to go in and out of isolation was “a really big issue” and was proving “incredibly frustrating” for pupils and teachers alike.

“With bubbles, I think everybody would like it if we could get back to normal, as soon as possible. Obviously we have to be safe, and we have to take advice, but it’s very very restrictive,” she said.

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Reports in The Guardian on Tuesday claim ministers are set to scrap the current arrangements, with an announcement due in the next few days.

It is believed the bubble isolation could be replaced with regular PCR testing to prevent pupils missing school.

In the Commons on Monday, newly-appointed health secretary Sajid Javid said he had asked for “fresh advice” on the COVID-19 situation in schools.

Former health minister Steve Brine told Mr Javid “our young people have suffered enough”.

“Ten days of isolation are unavoidable under the current rules, even with a negative PCR test,” he said.

Mr Javid replied: “This is a very important issue and it is something I’ve focused on, on day one of the job.

“That is why I’ve asked for fresh advice on this. As he knows, the decision was made with the data that was available at the time.

“Clearly data is changing all the time and we must make sure that we keep that under review for exactly the right reasons that he has set out and, as I say, I have asked for advice on this and I will hopefully be able to say more on this as soon as possible.”