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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 3 hours 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.
Can my children 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.
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, nurseries and childminders 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.
Many schools have already been in touch with parents, but if you think your children qualify you can also contact your local authority.Many schools have already been in touch with parents, but if you think your children qualify you can also contact your local authority.
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.
Which schools will be open?Which schools will be open?
It is not clear which will remain open, but the government has suggested most children will be able to go to their usual school.It is not clear which will remain open, but the government has suggested most children will be able to go to their usual school.
The number of children likely to attend is unclear.The number of children likely to attend is unclear.
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.
The government hopes they will be open from Monday, but confusion over who is eligible could cause delays.The government hopes they will be open from Monday, but confusion over who is eligible could cause delays.
It's also not clear what hours the schools will be open, whether they will offer care outside normal school hours, and whether they will be open over the Easter holiday.It's also not clear what hours the schools will be open, whether they will offer care outside normal school hours, and whether they will be open over the Easter holiday.
What will children in schools be doing?What will children in schools be doing?
Any impression that it will be business as usual in schools is wrong.Any impression that it will be business as usual in schools is wrong.
Head teachers will have to take a pragmatic approach when they know which teachers and which children are coming in.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 and pupils of different ages mixing in class, or working on projects together.There will be no curriculum to follow, no strict year groups and 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.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 children staying at home?What about children staying at home?
The situation is very unclear.The situation is very unclear.
Many schools have been setting up online learning, or preparing homework packs for children.Many schools have been setting up online learning, or preparing homework packs for children.
But this often depends on families having internet access and devices pupils can use.But this often depends on families having internet access and devices pupils can use.
It may also depend on adults being able to supervise learning.It may also depend on adults being able to supervise learning.
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.
The peak of the virus outbreak is likely to be in May and June, after which most schools start to wind down.The peak of the virus outbreak is likely to be in May and June, after which most schools start to wind down.
Ultimately it will depend to a large extent on the effectiveness of measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak.Ultimately it will depend to a large extent on the effectiveness of measures to reduce the spread of the outbreak.
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.
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: