School Closures

From Monday June 1st primary schools will be open to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Children in other year groups and Secondary School pupils will be allowed back in a phased re-opening later.

For information on guidance for opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1st June, please click here

Vulnerable children and children of people working in the following sectors will still be able to go to school:

Health and social care

Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

Nursery, teaching staff and social workers.

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.

Transport

Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.

Special arrangements

Schools will be given the flexibility to provide meals or vouchers to children eligible for free school meals. Some schools are already doing this, and they will be reimbursed the costs. A National Voucher System will be put in place as soon as possible.

Special schools, colleges and local authorities are advised to make assessments on a case by case basis of the health and safeguarding considerations of pupils and students on an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Attachments

Attachment Size
Letter from the Secretary of State for Education.pdf 164.98 KB