By Gavin Mackintosh –
The British government has finally taken the step to close all schools in the UK as from Friday until further notice as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Schools will close except for looking after the children of key workers and vulnerable children, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. This academic year’s exams will not go ahead in England and Wales, decisions are due to be made in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile the government is bringing forward emergency legislation to protect private renters from eviction after being urged to do more for them.Mr Johnson said: “We think now that we must apply further downward pressure with that upward curve by closing schools.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs assessments or exams would not go ahead this year and performance tables would not be published. Mr Williamson said ”illness and staff isolation levels were now impacting on pupils” . He said after schools shut their gates on Friday, they will remain shut indefinitely except for children of key workers and vulnerable children, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.
Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus. Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require.
He added that children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care. Where schools are unable to look after these children, local authorities will work with the Department for Education’s regional teams to ensure an alternative option is available in the same area.
”Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus. Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require.
Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care.Where schools are unable to look after these children, local authorities will work with the Department for Education’s regional teams to ensure an alternative option is available in the same area. He said officials were working with exam boards “to ensure that children get the qualifications that they need”.