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Will UK schools close over coronavirus? Will UK schools close over coronavirus?
(32 minutes later)
Many countries are closing schools as part of their efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus.Many countries are closing schools as part of their efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus.
So, what's happening in the UK?So, what's happening in the UK?
Will my child's school close?Will my child's school close?
At the moment, the government is advising schools to stay open, saying that children are not as vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus as adults. All schools in Wales will close by Friday, as will schools in Scotland, it was announced on Wednesday.
However, while the official advice is to stay open, the reality is that many individual schools are already closing their doors, or sending certain year groups home. But no announcement has been made yet on closures in England and Northern Ireland.
Head teachers say they are struggling with the growing number of staff who have taken time off because they are ill, have underlying health conditions or are self-isolating. The government has been advising schools to stay open, saying that children are not as vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus as adults.
In reality many individual schools have already been closing their doors, or sending certain year groups home.
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.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, told MPs at a hearing on Tuesday afternoon that closing schools was still "on the table", as one of the measures that could be used to fight the virus.The government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, told MPs at a hearing on Tuesday afternoon that closing schools was still "on the table", as one of the measures that could be used to fight the virus.
But the government is concerned that it would cause widespread disruption.But the government is concerned that it would cause widespread disruption.
Many parents - including much-needed NHS staff - would have to take time off work to look after their children.Many parents - including much-needed NHS staff - would have to take time off work to look after their children.
And there are concerns that if grandparents - a vulnerable group - were drafted in to help with childcare, infected children could transmit the disease to them.And there are concerns that if grandparents - a vulnerable group - were drafted in to help with childcare, infected children could transmit the disease to them.
There are also fears that vulnerable children, such as those in danger of neglect, could be at risk if schools were closed for a long period of time.There are also fears that vulnerable children, such as those in danger of neglect, could be at risk if schools were closed for a long period of time.
In Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster has said that when schools shut it will be for at least 16 weeks.In Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster has said that when schools shut it will be for at least 16 weeks.
And in Wales, schools closures have not been ruled out, with Health Minister Vaughan Gething saying "they could be "effective later on".
In Scotland, a number are closed for deep cleaning - a decision which some schools across the UK have also taken themselves.In Scotland, a number are closed for deep cleaning - a decision which some schools across the UK have also taken themselves.
Teaching unions have said the uncertainty of the current situation was causing "intolerable pressure" for schools.Teaching 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".
The National Education Union is calling for school closures "at least for some time and at least in some areas".The National Education Union is calling for school closures "at least for some time and at least in some areas".
England's schools watchdog Ofsted has been given permission by the government to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.England's schools watchdog Ofsted has been given permission by the government to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak says funding for early years grants will be paid during any periods of time that nurseries or pre-schools are closed, when childminders are unable to work, or when children cannot attend due to coronavirus.Chancellor Rishi Sunak says funding for early years grants will be paid during any periods of time that nurseries or pre-schools are closed, when childminders are unable to work, or when children cannot attend due to coronavirus.
Could exams be cancelled?Could exams be cancelled?
We don't know yet.We don't know yet.
The current advice from all the exams watchdogs is that teachers and students should prepare for exams as normal.The current advice from all the exams watchdogs is that teachers and students should prepare for exams as normal.
In Scotland, where exams start earlier than the rest of the UK, the Scottish Qualifications Authority said there was no change to the exam timetable. It is currently due to run from 27 April until 4 June 2020.In Scotland, where exams start earlier than the rest of the UK, the Scottish Qualifications Authority said there was no change to the exam timetable. It is currently due to run from 27 April until 4 June 2020.
All its deadlines for coursework, and other assessments, remain in place.All its deadlines for coursework, and other assessments, remain in place.
The advice is similar elsewhere in the UK, with students, parents and teachers being told to prepare for exams and to keep across any updates.The advice is similar elsewhere in the UK, with students, parents and teachers being told to prepare for exams and to keep across any updates.
England's watchdog, Ofqual, said: "Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum."England's watchdog, Ofqual, said: "Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum."
What if someone at my child's school is ill?What if someone at my child's school is ill?
Schools are being urged to ensure pupils and staff wash their hands frequently. And they are being told to clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly.Schools are being urged to ensure pupils and staff wash their hands frequently. And they are being told to clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly.
Schools and nurseries are being told that anyone who becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature should be sent home.Schools and nurseries are being told that anyone who becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature should be sent home.
If pupils become unwell at school they should be isolated while they wait for their parents to collect them. Ideally, this should be in a room behind a closed door, with a window open.If pupils become unwell at school they should be isolated while they wait for their parents to collect them. Ideally, this should be in a room behind a closed door, with a window open.
If that's not possible, they should be moved to an area at least two metres away from other people.If that's not possible, they should be moved to an area at least two metres away from other people.
While the advice is that overseas trips should be cancelled, domestic trips can go ahead, as long as fresh risk assessments have been carried out.While the advice is that overseas trips should be cancelled, domestic trips can go ahead, as long as fresh risk assessments have been carried out.
What if I want to keep my child off school?What if I want to keep my child off school?
The official guidance is that children should stay at home if they are unwell, to avoid spreading the infection to others.The official guidance is that children should stay at home if they are unwell, to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Otherwise, the advice is that they attend school as normal.Otherwise, the advice is that they attend school as normal.
Under current rules, children can only miss school if they are too ill to go in or if parents have got advance permission from the school.Under current rules, children can only miss school if they are too ill to go in or if parents have got advance permission from the school.
It is not yet clear what the situation will be for those parents who have decided to take their children out of school over concerns about the coronavirus.It is not yet clear what the situation will be for those parents who have decided to take their children out of school over concerns about the coronavirus.
Parents do have a right to home-educate their children - but if they are enrolled in a school, families can expect to be contacted by the school if they do not turn up.Parents do have a right to home-educate their children - but if they are enrolled in a school, families can expect to be contacted by the school if they do not turn up.