This week the Education Secretary announced schools would be closed for the vast majority of pupils until further notice.

So far the advice has been that that schools should be kept 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.

Based on the latest advice, schools will now close 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.

Closing schools for the vast majority will help in our 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 fight back against coronavirus.

• This will mean there will be far fewer children in schools and that will help us to slow the spread of the diseases.

Continuing to provide school places for the children of key workers to ensure our NHS and vital services continue to have the work forces 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.

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 we will ensure that meals and vouchers are available.

Asking private providers to follow the Government’s actions.

We are 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. The Government will make sure that pupils get the qualifications they need and deserve