What is he on about? Baffled 11-year-olds listen stony-faced as PM bizarrely insists 'Harry Potter isn't sexist' and tells them 'it is politically acceptable to sing Rule Britannia' in awkward school speech blaming a 'mutant algorithm' for the exams fiasco
Boris Johnson told bemused schoolchildren that it is politically acceptable to sing Rule Britannia and ruled that Harry Potter is not sexist as he told them how important it was they got back into classrooms today.
The maskless Prime Minister made the rambling remarks as he addressed a roomful of Year 7 pupils at a Leicestershire school as he pushed his plan to have all children back for the autumn term next week.
He was at Castle Rock school in Coalville, an academy school where youngsters started back today for 'induction and familiarisation' with coronavirus safety measures ahead of lessons starting next week.
Mr Johnson's comments on Harry Potter came after its billionaire author JK Rowling was earlier this year engulfed by a row over transgender rights, although the books have not attracted mainstream claims of sexism.
In an address lasting under seven minutes, he apologised for A-Level and GCSE exam results affected by a 'mutant algorithm' that forced an embarrassing Government U-turn last week.
He told the students: 'From now on, from getting back into school, the hours and days and weeks of this new term, you will experience things with an intensity and clarity, believe me, that is seldom repeated in your lives.
'You'll remember these days and weeks and months, you really really will.
'And when you have been struggling with something in the classroom or whatever, some concept that you cannot get, like the supine stem of confetti or nuclear fusion or is Harry Potter sexist? Answer: no, by the way. Is it politically acceptable to sing Rule Britannia? Yes ...
'When you are struggling with complex questions, or something that you are worried about, somebody very probably a teacher, a brilliant teacher, will say something and a light will go on, the clouds will lift and you will never, ever forget that moment.
'That moment is absolutely irreplaceable. It is invaluable and it can only happen in school.' 
In a rambling address lasting under seven minutes, Mr Johnson apologised for A-Level and GCSE exam results affected by a 'mutant algorithm' that forced an embarrassing Government U-turn last week.
Mr Johnson's comments on Harry Potter come after its billionaire author JK Rowling was earlier this year engulfed by a row over transgender rights, although the books have not attracted mainstream claims of sexism
The Scottish writer revealed she was sexually assaulted in her 20s and told of her scars of domestic violence from her first marriage as she spoke out after being accused of transphobia.
The author, 54, was hit by what she described as 'relentless attacks' after she took issue with an online article 'people who menstruate'.
She tweeted to her 14.5m followers on Saturday: 'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?'
Her remarks also led to a backlash from stars including Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film franchise of the series, and Eddie Redmayne, who stars in Ms Rowling's Fantastic Beasts films.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the Harry Potter films, also criticised Ms Rowling in a series of tweets.
The prime minister today thanked pupils for their efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus, saying: 'We have the number of deaths way down, we have the number of hospital admissions way, way down and it's thanks to you and your sacrifice that we have protected the NHS and saved literally tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of lives.
He was at Castle Rock school in Coalville, an academy school where pupils started back today for 'induction and familiarisation' ahead of lessons starting next week
He told the students: 'From now on, from getting back into school, the hours and days and weeks of this new term, you will experience things with an intensity and clarity, believe me, that is seldom repeated in your lives'
The PM today thanked pupils for their efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus, saying: 'We have the number of deaths way down, we have the number of hospital admissions way, way down and it's thanks to you and your sacrifice that we have protected the NHS and saved literally tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of lives'
The Government last night announced that face masks will be compulsory in the communal areas of secondary schools in parts of England which are subject to local lockdowns
'No previous generation of pupils has ever done anything like this.'
Now, he said, 'the risk to your health is not from Covid because, after all, statistically speaking, your chances of suffering from that disease are very, very low'.
'The greatest risk you face now is of continuing to be out of school.'
Teachers have warned the PM his face masks U-turn risks creating chaos in schools amid fears pupils will bully each other over their choice of covering.
The Government last night announced that face masks will be compulsory in the communal areas of secondary schools in parts of England which are subject to local lockdowns.
A decision on whether to wear masks in non-lockdown area schools will be left to individual head teachers.
The change in policy came after days of ministers and Downing Street insisting there were no plans to change the guidance in England which had said masks were not necessary if all other hygiene measures were adhered to.
But Mr Johnson's hand appeared to be forced after Nicola Sturgeon said secondary school pupils in Scotland will be required to wear a mask when travelling between lessons.
The timing of the U-turn has prompted anger - schools in England are due to reopen next week - with teachers warning the wearing of masks could cause 'mayhem'.
No comments: