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Coronavirus: Answers promised after school shutdown confusion | Coronavirus: Answers promised after school shutdown confusion |
(32 minutes later) | |
The government has promised to give more details on how school closures will affect students and parents after criticism over a lack of clarity. | The government has promised to give more details on how school closures will affect students and parents after criticism over a lack of clarity. |
A list of the "key workers" during the coronavirus crisis - whose children can still go to school - will be released later, the education secretary said. | A list of the "key workers" during the coronavirus crisis - whose children can still go to school - will be released later, the education secretary said. |
He also said more details would be given on Friday on how pupils would be awarded grades in the absence of exams. | He also said more details would be given on Friday on how pupils would be awarded grades in the absence of exams. |
It comes after GCSEs and A-Levels in England and Wales were cancelled. | It comes after GCSEs and A-Levels in England and Wales were cancelled. |
Universities UK said pupils should not lose the chance to go to university this year because of the move. | Universities UK said pupils should not lose the chance to go to university this year because of the move. |
More details will be announced about exams in Scotland in the Scottish Parliament later. Scotland's Education Secretary John Swinney said exams could still go ahead as planned or be re-scheduled. | More details will be announced about exams in Scotland in the Scottish Parliament later. Scotland's Education Secretary John Swinney said exams could still go ahead as planned or be re-scheduled. |
A decision is also due to be made in Northern Ireland, which has announced its first virus-related death. | A decision is also due to be made in Northern Ireland, which has announced its first virus-related death. |
In other developments across the globe: | In other developments across the globe: |
Schools in the UK will close their doors on Friday except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers. | Schools in the UK will close their doors on Friday except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers. |
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC Breakfast that the Cabinet Office will release the full list of key workers later and parents not on the list would be "immediately aware" their child wouldn't be offered a place in school. | Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC Breakfast that the Cabinet Office will release the full list of key workers later and parents not on the list would be "immediately aware" their child wouldn't be offered a place in school. |
The list would include NHS workers, school staff and delivery drivers, he said. | The list would include NHS workers, school staff and delivery drivers, he said. |
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said he was not expecting schools to open again before September. | |
He said: "The peak of the virus is expected to be at exams time after which most schools start to wind down, so it was very unlikely that they would re-open in the summer term." | |
On the cancellation of exams, Mr Williamson said the aim was to issue children in England and Wales with grades in August under a "different process and a different system". | |
However, he said he could not "with total guarantee" say they would be released that month as "we don't how the spread of the virus will affect the examining boards and those who issue the grades". | However, he said he could not "with total guarantee" say they would be released that month as "we don't how the spread of the virus will affect the examining boards and those who issue the grades". |
This academic year's exams in England and Wales had been due to take place in May and June. | This academic year's exams in England and Wales had been due to take place in May and June. |
Schools supporting key workers' children will be expected to remain open during the Easter holidays, while officials are considering who is classed under this category. | Schools supporting key workers' children will be expected to remain open during the Easter holidays, while officials are considering who is classed under this category. |
Mr Williamson said the government was aiming to provide an "education setting" for 10% of the children who usually attend schools. | Mr Williamson said the government was aiming to provide an "education setting" for 10% of the children who usually attend schools. |
Staff and pupils may also be required to work at or attend schools other than their own. | Staff and pupils may also be required to work at or attend schools other than their own. |
Nurseries, private schools and sixth forms are also being told to follow the guidance to close. | Nurseries, private schools and sixth forms are also being told to follow the guidance to close. |
School closure is something the health officials advising government have been continuously asked about. | School closure is something the health officials advising government have been continuously asked about. |
Their stance has always been that while it can suppress a peak - a 15% reduction has been put forward - some of the gain would be offset by the fact children will still mix outside of school. Parents, including health workers, may have to take time off work or grandparents - one of the vulnerable groups they are trying to protect - may have to look after them. | Their stance has always been that while it can suppress a peak - a 15% reduction has been put forward - some of the gain would be offset by the fact children will still mix outside of school. Parents, including health workers, may have to take time off work or grandparents - one of the vulnerable groups they are trying to protect - may have to look after them. |
What is more, children are the age group least likely to get severe symptoms - only 0.2% of cases end up in hospital. | What is more, children are the age group least likely to get severe symptoms - only 0.2% of cases end up in hospital. |
In the end it has undoubtedly come down to two factors. | In the end it has undoubtedly come down to two factors. |
Firstly, it might just do enough to ensure the NHS is not overwhelmed - as suggested by the new modelling by Imperial College London published on Monday. | Firstly, it might just do enough to ensure the NHS is not overwhelmed - as suggested by the new modelling by Imperial College London published on Monday. |
Secondly, practicalities - increasing numbers of teachers and children are having to isolate at home and classes and exams would be seriously disrupted in the coming months regardless of what was done. | Secondly, practicalities - increasing numbers of teachers and children are having to isolate at home and classes and exams would be seriously disrupted in the coming months regardless of what was done. |
Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said if an appropriate way to assess students could be found - such as a combination of teacher assessments and previous assignments - then awards could be granted this summer. | Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said if an appropriate way to assess students could be found - such as a combination of teacher assessments and previous assignments - then awards could be granted this summer. |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This would allow students to get their grades and the university admission process to go ahead this summer." | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This would allow students to get their grades and the university admission process to go ahead this summer." |
Asked whether students who have already been offered a place at university could have it as an unconditional offer, he said: "That is possible, that would be a good option to immediately remove the uncertainty for students." | Asked whether students who have already been offered a place at university could have it as an unconditional offer, he said: "That is possible, that would be a good option to immediately remove the uncertainty for students." |
The decision to close schools was welcomed by teachers' unions but many called for more detail from the government. | The decision to close schools was welcomed by teachers' unions but many called for more detail from the government. |
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said there were "many complicated issues to address" and "we have more questions than answers at the moment". | Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said there were "many complicated issues to address" and "we have more questions than answers at the moment". |
Parents contacting the BBC expressed their concern that predicted grades might be used for results at GCSE and A-level, if pupils did not sit exams. | Parents contacting the BBC expressed their concern that predicted grades might be used for results at GCSE and A-level, if pupils did not sit exams. |
Lone parents and those who are self-employed were also worried about coping. | Lone parents and those who are self-employed were also worried about coping. |
Victoria, in Belfast, said: "I am a self-employed mother of twins. I have zero support. Now I have to stay home and look after the children. Where will the money come from?" | Victoria, in Belfast, said: "I am a self-employed mother of twins. I have zero support. Now I have to stay home and look after the children. Where will the money come from?" |
In other developments in the UK: | In other developments in the UK: |
Meanwhile, the Army said it was "pausing" basic training, which would involve hundreds of recruits at Harrogate, Pirbright, Catterick and Winchester being sent home. | |
However, a spokesman said it would not affect the Army's ability to support public services as part of the "Covid support force" - which only involves troops who have already gone through basic training. | However, a spokesman said it would not affect the Army's ability to support public services as part of the "Covid support force" - which only involves troops who have already gone through basic training. |
As part of the support the Army will provide during the pandemic, the number of troops at a heightened state of readiness will be doubled to 20,000 and Reserves will be placed on standby. | As part of the support the Army will provide during the pandemic, the number of troops at a heightened state of readiness will be doubled to 20,000 and Reserves will be placed on standby. |
Emergency laws to provide new powers to deal with the outbreak have been introduced in Parliament. | |
The wide-ranging bill includes provisions for border controls, ways of boosting the NHS workforce and making it easier to register a death. | The wide-ranging bill includes provisions for border controls, ways of boosting the NHS workforce and making it easier to register a death. |
The government says the measures contained within the Coronavirus Bill are proportionate, will only be used when necessary and have a time limit of two years. | The government says the measures contained within the Coronavirus Bill are proportionate, will only be used when necessary and have a time limit of two years. |
But Labour is calling for a fresh vote on the legislation every six months - describing the plans as "far-reaching". | But Labour is calling for a fresh vote on the legislation every six months - describing the plans as "far-reaching". |
The prime minister has also said he would not rule out imposing further restrictions in London, where the virus is spreading faster than other parts of the UK. | The prime minister has also said he would not rule out imposing further restrictions in London, where the virus is spreading faster than other parts of the UK. |
Elsewhere, Environment Secretary George Eustice has ruled out enforcing social distancing measures in supermarkets. | |
He told the House of Commons: "It was something that was done in Italy, with a restriction on the number of people in stores and what they found was they just had hundreds of people huddled together at the entrance to the store and it's counterproductive." | |
On Monday, the prime minister announced a series of new key measures to target the number of coronavirus cases after scientific modelling showed the UK was on course for a "catastrophic epidemic". | On Monday, the prime minister announced a series of new key measures to target the number of coronavirus cases after scientific modelling showed the UK was on course for a "catastrophic epidemic". |
Boris Johnson said the subsequent decision to close schools was necessary to further slow the spread of the virus. | Boris Johnson said the subsequent decision to close schools was necessary to further slow the spread of the virus. |
The UK death toll rose by 33 to 104 on Wednesday. Confirmed cases increased to 2,626 - up from 1,950 on Tuesday. | |
There have been 56,221 tests carried out in the UK for Covid-19. The government says it plans to more than double the number of tests being carried out in England to 25,000 a day. | There have been 56,221 tests carried out in the UK for Covid-19. The government says it plans to more than double the number of tests being carried out in England to 25,000 a day. |
If you are affected by these planned closures you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | If you are affected by these planned closures you can share your experience 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: |