This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51999539

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Coronavirus: Parents urged not to send children to school Coronavirus: Parents heed calls not to send children to school
(32 minutes later)
Parents are being told to keep their children at home unless "absolutely necessary", as schools across the UK close to most pupils. Parents appear to have heeded warnings not to send children into school unless it was a last resort, according to head teachers.
Schools are officially shut because of the coronavirus outbreak, but children who are vulnerable or whose parents are "key workers" can still attend. Schools in the UK have closed to reduce the spread of coronavirus - and are only open to look after the children of "key workers" and vulnerable children.
Paul Whiteman, head of school leaders' union the NAHT, said school staff have been "much depleted". Heads' leader Geoff Barton says initial reports on Monday morning suggest pupil numbers arriving are "manageable".
Even the children of key workers should stay away if possible, he said. There had been fears too many would arrive for depleted teacher numbers.
"Only leave your child at school if you have no other choice," said Mr Whiteman. But Mr Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, says: "Initial feedback indicates that parents have heeded calls to use the emergency provision in schools only in the event that they are key workers who have no option available to keep their children at home."
He says school staff are grateful to parents for responding to warnings and wherever possible keeping children at home.
It allays concerns that families would continue to send their children to school, rather than seeing it as a last back-up only to be used if "absolutely necessary".
Keeping schools open for the children of key workers - such as NHS, emergency or transport staff - was intended to prevent the closure of schools from stopping parents from getting to work and maintaining essential services.
But there were worries this could be interpreted too widely and schools with their own staffing challenges would be unable to cope.
Mary Bousted, general secretary of the National Education Union, had said there was a lack of clarity about which families were eligible to have their children looked after in school.
She said schools were having to "deal with numerous demands from parents".
Paul Whiteman, head of the National Association of Head Teachers, had said that even the children of key workers should try to find other alternatives to school.
"My appeal to the families of key workers is: This is not business as usual keep your family at home if at all possible."My appeal to the families of key workers is: This is not business as usual keep your family at home if at all possible.
"Leave the few spaces available for those that truly have no alternative.""Leave the few spaces available for those that truly have no alternative."
Putting lessons online The first morning of a new type of school
Schools across the UK have been working to put lessons and schoolwork online, so that pupils can keep up with their studies. For those children at home, schools have been putting lessons and coursework online, so that pupils can keep up with their studies.
At Hampton Hill Junior School in Richmond, London, staff had emergency training sessions on Friday in how to use Google classroom and all children were issued with a log-in so they can access work from home. At Hampton Hill Junior School in Richmond, London, staff had emergency training sessions on Friday in how to use an online learning system and all children were issued with a log-in so they can access work from home.
"We'll be remotely available to answer any questions," Tracey Bannister, the school's special educational needs co-ordinator, told the BBC."We'll be remotely available to answer any questions," Tracey Bannister, the school's special educational needs co-ordinator, told the BBC.
Ms Bannister said the mood in school, which is open for key workers' children and vulnerable children, is sombre.Ms Bannister said the mood in school, which is open for key workers' children and vulnerable children, is sombre.
"I think it's a very different mood this morning," she said."I think it's a very different mood this morning," she said.
"In the staff meeting, we all sat further apart - there is definitely a different mood and maybe trepidation.""In the staff meeting, we all sat further apart - there is definitely a different mood and maybe trepidation."
Pradeep Shetty, a carer whose daughter is eligible to attend school, says the current situation is difficult for everyone - for those who will be at home and those still coming to school.Pradeep Shetty, a carer whose daughter is eligible to attend school, says the current situation is difficult for everyone - for those who will be at home and those still coming to school.
Mr Shetty says those children who are in will soon find it is very different from a regular school day.Mr Shetty says those children who are in will soon find it is very different from a regular school day.
"It's hard for them to take as well - it's not a normal thing, just to be here without their friends.""It's hard for them to take as well - it's not a normal thing, just to be here without their friends."
Who are "key workers"?Who are "key workers"?
The full list includes:The full list includes:
Read more: Whose children will still be able to go to school?Read more: Whose children will still be able to go to school?
Teachers' unions have also raised concerns that there is some confusion about which parents are eligible for key worker status.
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the National Education Union said: "Head teachers and teachers are having to deal with numerous demands from parents because the government has wrongly created an expectation that their child can be kept in school.
"Some local authorities and some companies are encouraging their staff to say they are key workers - this is very dangerous and won't allow us to suppress the spread of this horrible virus.
"The government needs to issue urgent clarification and information to parents that their child should only be at school if there is no alternative."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools were only open for the few, not the many.Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools were only open for the few, not the many.
"If your work is not critical in the response to Coronavirus then please keep your child at home."If your work is not critical in the response to Coronavirus then please keep your child at home.
"We will be closely monitoring what is happening in schools and will ensure they get the support they need in the weeks and months ahead.""We will be closely monitoring what is happening in schools and will ensure they get the support they need in the weeks and months ahead."
Friday was the last school day for most children across the UK until further notice.
A-level and GCSE pupils will be graded via teacher assessments after exams, including Highers, were cancelled.