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Who are the workers whose children can go to school? Who are the workers whose children can go to school?
(about 1 hour later)
Schools across the UK are closing on Friday to the vast majority of pupils, possibly until September.Schools across the UK are closing on Friday to the vast majority of pupils, possibly until September.
A small proportion of children will still be able to attend.A small proportion of children will still be able to attend.
Whose children can still go to school? Can my children go to school?
Government advice is that all children should stay at home, if at all possible, from Monday.Government advice is that all children should stay at home, if at all possible, from Monday.
This refers to primary and secondary schools, colleges and nurseries, both in the state and private sectors.This refers to primary and secondary schools, colleges and nurseries, both in the state and private sectors.
But schools have been asked to provide care for some children - those who are vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers "critical to the Covid-19 response", who cannot be safely cared for at home.But schools have been asked to provide care for some children - those who are vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers "critical to the Covid-19 response", who cannot be safely cared for at home.
If you think your children qualify to attend school, you should contact your local authority and they will redirect you to a school in your area where your children can attend.
Vulnerable children include those with a social worker or special educational needs.Vulnerable children include those with a social worker or special educational needs.
A child's parent is a key worker if their job is considered critical to keeping the country running and/or fighting the spread of the virus. The government has published a list of key worker jobs:A child's parent is a key worker if their job is considered critical to keeping the country running and/or fighting the spread of the virus. The government has published a list of key worker jobs:
A child only needs one parent to be a key worker to be eligible to attend school. A child only needs one parent to be a key worker to be eligible to attend school, however head teachers are stressing that attending school is a last resort.
Which schools will be open?Which schools will be open?
It is not clear which will remain open for the children of key workers and the vulnerable.It is not clear which will remain open for the children of key workers and the vulnerable.
The government has suggested most will be able to go to their usual school, which suggests nearly all will be open.The government has suggested most will be able to go to their usual school, which suggests nearly all will be open.
The number of children attending is also unclear. Ahead of the publication of the key worker list, head teachers asked parents to nominate themselves. Local authorities were coordinating unofficial lists.The number of children attending is also unclear. Ahead of the publication of the key worker list, head teachers asked parents to nominate themselves. Local authorities were coordinating unofficial lists.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said that in England the aim would be to provide support in school for an estimated 10% of pupils.Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said that in England the aim would be to provide support in school for an estimated 10% of pupils.
But demand will not be evenly spread and some schools have much higher numbers of pupils to care for.But demand will not be evenly spread and some schools have much higher numbers of pupils to care for.
How long are schools likely to be closed?How long are schools likely to be closed?
It is increasingly likely that schools may be closed until September, although nothing has been formally announced.It is increasingly likely that schools may be closed until September, although nothing has been formally announced.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she cannot guarantee that schools in Scotland will reopen before August.Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she cannot guarantee that schools in Scotland will reopen before August.
What we do know is the peak of the virus outbreak is likely to be in May and June, after which most schools start to wind down.What we do know is the peak of the virus outbreak is likely to be in May and June, after which most schools start to wind down.
But ultimately it will depend to a large extent on the effectiveness of measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak.But ultimately it will depend to a large extent on the effectiveness of measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak.
When will these emergency schools open and will they be viable?
The government hopes they will be open from Monday.
However, as teaching unions have pointed out, the list of eligible key worker jobs is very long, and this may cause some confusion.
In some areas, there will be very high percentages of children attending, and in others not so many.
The National Education Union says it could result in some schools having the "majority of pupils attending", adding that the fewer children who attended, the better it would be for reducing virus spread.
The National Association of Head Teachers says it has "many questions that remain unanswered about how this will work in practice".
It's also not clear what hours the schools will be open, whether they will offer wrap-around care outside normal school hours, and whether they will be open over the Easter holiday.
What will children in schools be doing?
Any impression that it will be business as usual in schools is completely wrong.
Head teachers will have to take a pragmatic approach when they know which teachers and which children are coming in.
There will be no curriculum to follow, no strict year groups, pupils of different ages mixing in class or working on projects together.
Heads say there will probably be a lot of physical exercise and a big push to make the education on offer creative and engaging.
What about the education of those children staying at home?
The situation is very unclear at the moment.
Many schools have been setting up online and distance-learning arrangements, others have been preparing homework packs for children to take home.
But in most cases this depends on families not only having internet access but laptops and smart pads which pupils can use.
It may also depend on having adults available who are able to supervise distance learning.
What is clear is that schools will not be judged by Ofsted or held to account for standards in the same way during the shutdown period.
While they are away from school, children can play with each other but should self-distance (stay 2m apart from each other).
What will happen about exams?What will happen about exams?
Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school national curriculum tests, known as Sats, in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead.Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school national curriculum tests, known as Sats, in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead.
Mr Williamson told the Commons on Wednesday: "We will work with the sector and [the exams watchdog] Ofqual to ensure children get the qualifications that they need."Mr Williamson told the Commons on Wednesday: "We will work with the sector and [the exams watchdog] Ofqual to ensure children get the qualifications that they need."
More details are awaited.More details are awaited.
How will children be assessed instead?How will children be assessed instead?
Exams watchdogs have been working together for some time to look at alternative arrangements.Exams watchdogs have been working together for some time to look at alternative arrangements.
These may include:These may include:
It is likely exam boards and regulators will agree a uniform system to ensure students can be compared.It is likely exam boards and regulators will agree a uniform system to ensure students can be compared.
For those hoping to go on to university, Universities UK - the vice-chancellors' organisation - has suggested universities may honour offers already made on the basis of predicted grades.For those hoping to go on to university, Universities UK - the vice-chancellors' organisation - has suggested universities may honour offers already made on the basis of predicted grades.
Why did government hold out against closures?
In many other countries schools were closed earlier on in the outbreak.
The UK's reluctance to follow suit was based on information that children are not as vulnerable to coronavirus as adults.
There were also fears about elderly relatives - the group most at risk from the virus - from being called upon to provide childcare.
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:
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