A HEADMASTER has described home learning as “a poor substitute for face-to-face teaching” as schools wait to find out when pupils can return to the classroom.

Dr Dorian Lewis said he is “particularly concerned” for those whose GCSE and A level exams have been cancelled.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is widely expected to confirm this week that there will be no return to the classroom after the February half-term break as ministers had hoped.

Robert Halfon, Tory chairman of the Commons Education Committee, called for action to get pupils back in classes amid mounting Tory unrest about the Government’s exit strategy from coronavirus restrictions.

Dr Lewis, headmaster at Bournemouth School in East Way, said: “We are desperate for students to return to school as soon as it is safe for them to do so.

“Whatever remote learning provision is in place, it is a poor substitute for face-to-face teaching, and fails to develop students’ interpersonal skills and support their general well-being.

“We are particularly concerned for those who were due to sit their A level and GCSE examinations this year, and were hoping that they would be able to return to school before Easter.”

And Alistair Brien, head of Bournemouth School for Girls, added: “There will inevitably be uncertainty about when pupils will return to school as we have to see how quickly the rate of infection continues to decline.

“It is important though that we get some clear guidance outlining under what circumstances we will be able to return safely and this needs to be guided by the science rather than political pressure.

“I am glad to say that the very vast majority of our pupils are coping well with the challenges of online learning but it can never be the same as being in school.”

Boris Johnson is examining whether some lockdown measures could be lifted once the highest priority groups have been vaccinated as he came under pressure to reopen England’s schools.

The Prime Minister said the Government was “looking at the potential of relaxing some measures” but refused to guarantee that pupils would return to classes before Easter.

Mr Johnson stressed he would not do anything that could risk a surge in cases.

But he added: “I totally understand the frustrations of parents. There’s nothing I want to do more than reopen schools.”