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School closures: What will happen now? School closures: What will happen now?
(about 11 hours later)
Schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are to close on Friday because of the coronavirus epidemic.Schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are to close on Friday because of the coronavirus epidemic.
What will the impact be?What will the impact be?
How long are schools likely to be closed?How long are schools likely to be closed?
We don't yet know. This will depend to a large extend on how effective measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak are.We don't yet know. This will depend to a large extend on how effective measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak are.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries said the move was not prompted because children were at any particular risk, but because it was necessary to reduce social contact throughout society.Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries said the move was not prompted because children were at any particular risk, but because it was necessary to reduce social contact throughout society.
England's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says schools will be closed "until further notice".England's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says schools will be closed "until further notice".
Most schools were due to break up for the Easter holidays in two weeks' time.Most schools were due to break up for the Easter holidays in two weeks' time.
Schools in England, Wales and Scotland will close on Friday afternoon. Schools in Northern Ireland closed for pupils from Wednesday for teachers from Monday. Schools in England, Wales and Scotland will close on Friday afternoon. Schools in Northern Ireland will be closed from Monday.
So will every school be completely closed?So will every school be completely closed?
No. Some schools will be kept open with a skeleton staff to provide support for the children of key workers, such as NHS staff, police and delivery drivers.No. Some schools will be kept open with a skeleton staff to provide support for the children of key workers, such as NHS staff, police and delivery drivers.
They will also be asked to help those most in need - for example, children who receive free school meals.They will also be asked to help those most in need - for example, children who receive free school meals.
Teaching unions are supportive of these measures, but say they want to see more details of the plans.Teaching unions are supportive of these measures, but say they want to see more details of the plans.
The government says it's also asking nurseries and private schools to close, and will provide financial support if needed.The government says it's also asking nurseries and private schools to close, and will provide financial support if needed.
What will happen about exams?What will happen about exams?
In England and in Wales, all exams in May and June have been cancelled, including GCSEs and A-levels as well as England's primary school national curriculum tests, known as Sats.In England and in Wales, all exams in May and June have been cancelled, including GCSEs and A-levels as well as England's primary school national curriculum tests, known as Sats.
Mr Williamson told the Commons on Wednesday: "I can confirm we will not go ahead with assessments or exams and that we will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year.Mr Williamson told the Commons on Wednesday: "I can confirm we will not go ahead with assessments or exams and that we will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year.
"We will work with the sector and [the exams watchdog] Ofqual to ensure children get the qualifications that they need.""We will work with the sector and [the exams watchdog] Ofqual to ensure children get the qualifications that they need."
Scotland and Northern Ireland will announce a decision on exams in the days to come.Scotland and Northern Ireland will announce a decision on exams in the days to come.
What does this mean for parents?What does this mean for parents?
For many working parents, the closures will present issues surrounding childcare (this was one of the reasons why the government delayed closures as long as possible).For many working parents, the closures will present issues surrounding childcare (this was one of the reasons why the government delayed closures as long as possible).
Some may need to take time off work, raising concerns that some families will struggle financially.Some may need to take time off work, raising concerns that some families will struggle financially.
Head teachers have told the BBC that they have been making plans to continue teaching and supporting pupils during the closure, using social media and technologies such as Google Classroom and Maths Watch.Head teachers have told the BBC that they have been making plans to continue teaching and supporting pupils during the closure, using social media and technologies such as Google Classroom and Maths Watch.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that funding for early years grants would continue to be paid while nurseries or pre-schools are closed and if childminders are unable to work.On Tuesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that funding for early years grants would continue to be paid while nurseries or pre-schools are closed and if childminders are unable to work.
Why did government hold out against closures?Why did government hold out against closures?
Until now, the official advice was that schools should stay open, unlike in many other countries across Europe where schools were closed earlier on in the outbreak.Until now, the official advice was that schools should stay open, unlike in many other countries across Europe where schools were closed earlier on in the outbreak.
The UK's approach was based on information that children are not as vulnerable to coronavirus as adults.The UK's approach was based on information that children are not as vulnerable to coronavirus as adults.
They are the age group least likely to get severe symptoms.They are the age group least likely to get severe symptoms.
The government was also concerned that school closures would cause widespread disruption.The government was also concerned that school closures would cause widespread disruption.
And there were fears that if grandparents - a vulnerable group - were drafted in to help with childcare, infected children could transmit the disease to them.And there were fears that if grandparents - a vulnerable group - were drafted in to help with childcare, infected children could transmit the disease to them.
There have also been concerns that vulnerable children, such as those in danger of neglect, would be at greater risk if schools were closed for a long period of time.There have also been concerns that vulnerable children, such as those in danger of neglect, would be at greater risk if schools were closed for a long period of time.
But the government has now decided they will close schools - except for some key groups.But the government has now decided they will close schools - except for some key groups.
How difficult has this week been for schools?How difficult has this week been for schools?
Head teachers say they have been struggling with the growing number of staff who have taken time off because they are ill, have underlying health conditions or are self-isolating.Head teachers say they have been struggling with the growing number of staff who have taken time off because they are ill, have underlying health conditions or are self-isolating.
Teachers' unions have said the uncertainty of the current situation was causing "intolerable pressure" for schools.Teachers' unions have said the uncertainty of the current situation was causing "intolerable pressure" for schools.
Chris Keates, from the NASUWT, said "a lack of specific information for schools understandably has created a rising sense of panic".Chris Keates, from the NASUWT, said "a lack of specific information for schools understandably has created a rising sense of panic".
Before the closures announcement, the National Education Union said it was advising its members with underlying conditions to stay off work.Before the closures announcement, the National Education Union said it was advising its members with underlying conditions to stay off work.
Many individual schools had already been closing their doors, or sending certain year groups home.Many individual schools had already been closing their doors, or sending certain year groups home.
Have you been affected by the school closures due to coronavirus? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the school closures due to coronavirus? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: