All schools to close from Friday to help slow coronavirus COVID-19 peak

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today announced that all schools will be closed after end of day on Friday (20th March) as attempts to slow the peak of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak step up further. 

Many local schools have already seen partial or full closures this week, due to reduced staffing levels brought about by increasingly stringent government advice on self-isolation and social distancing.

At a press briefing live from Downing Street this afternoon, the Prime Minister said: “We think now that we must apply further downward pressure with that upward curve by closing the schools.

“After schools shut their gates to most pupils, they will remain closed to the majority of pupils.” He urged nurseries and sixth form colleges to do the same.

The move aims to slow the spread of the virus, reducing strain on the NHS as the organisation prepares to accommodate increased capacity to treat patients with COVID-19, particularly those requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation.

Due to the need to maintain health and public services, the Prime Minister said that schools would restructure to accommodate the children of essential workers, as well as the most vulnerable children in communities who need extra support. These children should attend school on Monday as usual, he said.

A list of key workers expected to send their children to school would be made available in due course, he said.

Key points

• Schools – including sixth form colleges, private schools and nurseries – will be closed to most pupils after the close of school on Friday.
• Check communications from your school, college or nursery on arrangements for the rest of this week, in case of partial closures
• A list of key workers who should still send their children to school will be made available shortly
• Vulnerable children will also still be able to attend and be supported by their school
• Arrangements will be made for children who normally have free school meals
• Education secretary Gavin Williamson also announced that no exams will take place in May and June this year, but measures will be taken to ensure students ‘get the qualifications they need’.