Coronavirus: All UK schools to close indefinitely

All schools in the UK will close from Friday (20 March) until further notice, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the measure on Wednesday (18 March) during his daily press conference.

The schools will be closed to all children except those who are vulnerable and those whose parents or guardians are key workers.

Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus. Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require.

Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care. Where schools are unable to look after these children, local authorities will work with the Department for Education’s regional teams to ensure an alternative option is available in the same area. Nurseries, private schools and sixth forms should also follow this guidance. The government has said it will provide financial support for these settings as required.

Children should not be left with older people, such as grandparents, or people who are vulnerable to contracting coronavirus.

Schools will have the flexibility to provide meals or vouchers for supermarkets or local shops for children who are eligible for free school meals.The government has also confirmed that the total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate it pays to schools for free school meals, recognising that families will not be buying food in bulk and may therefore incur higher costs. The final amounts will be confirmed shortly.

Effective immediately, schools will be able to order vouchers directly from supermarkets or shops in their communities to be emailed or printed and posted to families, and they will have their costs covered by the Department for Education. Guidance for schools will be published shortly.

No exams will take place in May or June as primary school assessments, GCSEs and A-Levels have been cancelled.

More details are expected on Friday about how grades will be awarded to pupils following the absence of exams.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Fighting coronavirus and protecting the vulnerable and our NHS are the government’s top priorities right now. That’s why we are asking schools, nurseries and colleges to close – except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

"We are facing increasingly extraordinary circumstances, but by asking schools to support our key workers and vulnerable children I am confident we will help beat this virus.

"I am deeply grateful for the civic spirit and dedication of everyone working in education, and I will continue to provide my full support throughout this crisis."

To support nurseries at this time, the Chancellor has also decided that they will also now be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year. That means non-local authority providers of childcare will pay no business rates in 2020-21, from 1 April.

Anna Edmundson, NSPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “The government has clearly acknowledged the need to keep children safe from abuse and neglect during this national health emergency.

“Teachers act as the eyes and ears for the community and have a vital role in ensuring children receive the right protection. Therefore, it is encouraging that the most vulnerable young people will continue to go to school to find safety and support.

“But the process needs to be carried out with care and sensitivity to avoid children feeling as though they are being singled out. It is also important to recognise that this is not black and white as there will be children that are vulnerable to abuse but fall outside this process.

“At the NSPCC, we will be looking closely at the detail of the plans and we look forward to discussing how they will work in practice with the government.”

In response to the statement by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson about COVID-19 and school closures, Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director of the CBI, which represents thousands of businesses, said: “Difficult decisions are having to be made each day and people’s safety must always come first. The announcement on school closures feels necessary, but of course will present challenges for parents and carers.

“Businesses will do all they can to help their employees in these unprecedented times. Companies will make every effort to offer flexible working, but many parents simply won’t be able to do their jobs and care for their children at the same time.

“With so many businesses already struggling with cashflow, government will urgently need to step in with additional support to employees who are unable to work because of school closures.”