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| G8 summit: Belfast schools asked to open early for students | G8 summit: Belfast schools asked to open early for students |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Belfast schools have been advised to open from 07:00 BST on Monday because of potential traffic disruption caused by the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. | Belfast schools have been advised to open from 07:00 BST on Monday because of potential traffic disruption caused by the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. |
| Principals have been asked to ensure pupils taking GCSE and A Level exams, and who may be affected by congestion, arrive in school by 08:00 BST. | Principals have been asked to ensure pupils taking GCSE and A Level exams, and who may be affected by congestion, arrive in school by 08:00 BST. |
| Meanwhile, the Western Education and Library Board said some schools in its area had asked parents to keep children at home during the two-day summit. | Meanwhile, the Western Education and Library Board said some schools in its area had asked parents to keep children at home during the two-day summit. |
| However, it said they should stay open. | However, it said they should stay open. |
| 'Business as usual' | 'Business as usual' |
| In a letter to school principals, the education board said: "The WELB has noted that some schools have written to the parents/guardians of pupils in their schools encouraging them, where possible, to keep their son/daughter at home on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June 2013. | In a letter to school principals, the education board said: "The WELB has noted that some schools have written to the parents/guardians of pupils in their schools encouraging them, where possible, to keep their son/daughter at home on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June 2013. |
| "The WELB would wish to re-emphasise that this advice is not in line with the spirit of, 'business as usual', which has been, and continues to be promoted by all the stakeholders involved in the G8 summit preparations." | "The WELB would wish to re-emphasise that this advice is not in line with the spirit of, 'business as usual', which has been, and continues to be promoted by all the stakeholders involved in the G8 summit preparations." |
| The leaders of some of the world's major economies are due to arrive in Northern Ireland on Monday for the two-day summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in County Fermanagh. | The leaders of some of the world's major economies are due to arrive in Northern Ireland on Monday for the two-day summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in County Fermanagh. |
| During his visit, US president Barack Obama is also due to make his first appearance in Belfast, leading to concerns about congestion in the city on Monday. | During his visit, US president Barack Obama is also due to make his first appearance in Belfast, leading to concerns about congestion in the city on Monday. |
| Stormont's Department of Education has issued a circular to schools and education bodies, advising them of contingency arrangements for GCSE and A level examinations on the day, "in the event that the major arterial routes become congested". | Stormont's Department of Education has issued a circular to schools and education bodies, advising them of contingency arrangements for GCSE and A level examinations on the day, "in the event that the major arterial routes become congested". |
| It said head teachers in the Belfast Education and Library Board area had been advised to open their schools from 07:00 BST and, "where feasible, to provide breakfast for pupils who arrive early". | It said head teachers in the Belfast Education and Library Board area had been advised to open their schools from 07:00 BST and, "where feasible, to provide breakfast for pupils who arrive early". |
| Alternative exam centres | Alternative exam centres |
| The circular advises principals to contact exam candidates who may be affected by traffic disruption on Monday and to "strongly urge those pupils to make their way to school by 8am (08:00 BST) at the latest". | The circular advises principals to contact exam candidates who may be affected by traffic disruption on Monday and to "strongly urge those pupils to make their way to school by 8am (08:00 BST) at the latest". |
| It also asks principals to "facilitate candidates who may be unable to take an examination at their home school" due to traffic disruption, by making prior arrangements for them to sit their papers at an alternative exam centre. | It also asks principals to "facilitate candidates who may be unable to take an examination at their home school" due to traffic disruption, by making prior arrangements for them to sit their papers at an alternative exam centre. |
| The circular does not advise schools to close during the summit. | The circular does not advise schools to close during the summit. |
| A spokesman for the Department of Education confirmed that no primary schools have asked for closure on Monday. | A spokesman for the Department of Education confirmed that no primary schools have asked for closure on Monday. |
| However, some Belfast post-primary principals have informed parents that their schools will be closed to all students on Monday, except those sitting GCSE and A Level exams. | However, some Belfast post-primary principals have informed parents that their schools will be closed to all students on Monday, except those sitting GCSE and A Level exams. |
| They include Aquinas Diocesan Grammar, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Belfast Royal Academy, Methodist College, St Malachy's College, Dominican College and the Girls' Model. | |
| But Belfast High School, St Dominic's High School and Grosvenor Grammar will remain open to all pupils on Monday. | But Belfast High School, St Dominic's High School and Grosvenor Grammar will remain open to all pupils on Monday. |
| Some Belfast schools have yet to make a decision and others have yet to respond to calls from the BBC. | Some Belfast schools have yet to make a decision and others have yet to respond to calls from the BBC. |
| There is a mixed picture in County Fermanagh, with some schools advising parents they can keep their children at home, while others are encouraging staff and students to make their way to school as normal. | There is a mixed picture in County Fermanagh, with some schools advising parents they can keep their children at home, while others are encouraging staff and students to make their way to school as normal. |
| Willowbridge Special School in Enniskillen is due to be closed on Thursday 13 June until Tuesday 18 June 2013, inclusively. | Willowbridge Special School in Enniskillen is due to be closed on Thursday 13 June until Tuesday 18 June 2013, inclusively. |