Mark Eastwood MP, for Dewsbury, would like to update constituents with information from the Government on the closure of Educational Settings.
On 18 March 2020, the Education Secretary announced schools would be closed for the vast majority of pupils until further notice.
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So far the advice has been that we should keep schools open to reduce the pressure on the NHS and on other public services. But this has always been a balanced judgement and kept under constant review.
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Based on the latest advice, the government will now close schools for the vast majority of pupils until further notice. In order to allow health and other critical workers to continue working, their children, and those who are vulnerable, will continue to attend school.
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Closing schools for the vast majority will help in efforts to suppress the upward trend of the virus, while continuing to look after the children of key workers will be a critical part of our fightback against coronavirus.
The government is doing this by:
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Closing schools for the vast majority of children until further notice. This will mean there will be far fewer children in schools and that will help us to slow the spread of the disease.
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Continuing to provide school places for the children of key workers to ensure our NHS and vital services continue to have the workforces they need. We need health workers and other critical workers – from police officers to supermarket delivery drivers– to keep going to work. So schools are being asked to make provision for the children of these people. These measures are crucial to make sure the critical parts of the economy keep functioning and public services keep functioning.
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Looking after the most vulnerable children. Schools will also be asked to make provision for vulnerable children. For those children who rely on free school meals, the government will ensure that meals and vouchers are available.
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Asking private providers to follow the Government’s actions. The government is asking nurseries and private schools to follow the Government’s lead in closing except for the children of key workers.
Children should not be looked after by older grandparents or relatives who may be particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Q: Will exams take place?
Exams will not take place as planned in May and June. But the government will ensure that pupils get the qualifications they need and deserve.
Q: How do I find out if I am a critical worker?
Click here to view the government list of critical workers.
Q: Where can I find more information about the closure of schools?
The government website here has all the information you need.
Q: Where can information for Educators be found?
If you are an educator, guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges can be found here.
