Scotland's schools to close and may not re-open before summer

Speaking at a Scottish Government briefing on the coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon warned parents that primary and secondary schools may not re-open before the summer.

The First Minister said the decision was the hardest she had been forced to take because of the virus. 

It was, she said, based partly on the advice of the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies [SAGE], but also because the "reality on the ground" was that schools have now lost too many staff to "continue as normal".

Deputy First Minister John Swinney is to provide more detail tomorrow on what the closure means for vulnerable pupils, especially those receiving free school meals. He will also set out what measures will be put in place to help pupils taking their exams this year, and what childcare can be provided for doctors, nurses and other critical staff.

It's understood schools will close at the end of the day on Friday.

The First Minister said: "My view is that it is now inevitable that we will close schools, and nurseries. My planning assumption now is that schools will close to pupils at the end of this week, and I wanted today to give parents notice of that now.

"There are two key drivers of that view. First is the science. SAGE our expert scientific advisors are examining new advice literally as we speak, I expect that that is likely to tell us to close schools.

"Secondly, we have the reality on the ground. As people do the right thing and follow the advice to self-isolate or to isolate as a household, more and more schools are approaching a point where they have lost too many staff to continue as normal. "

The First Minister said the government was still "working out all of the fine detail of what exactly this will mean."

Sturgeon said the clearest guidance she could give on how long the closure would last is that people should "not assume that schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter break".

She added: "We will of course, only keep them close for as long as we absolutely have to.

"But at this stage, I cannot promise that they will reopen before the summer holidays.

"Let me say that this has been one of the hardest decisions we have faced so far as we tackle this virus. We know that this will massively disrupt life, society and the economy. We know that it massively changes family life and nothing is more precious than that.

"But that indeed is the measure of how serious this virus is, and how serious the challenge is that we face."

Sturgeon's announcement came after Boris Johnson told the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions that further decisions on school closures were "to be taken imminently".

He said: "The House should expect further decisions to be taken imminently on schools and how to make sure we square the circle both of making sure we stop the spread of the disease but also making sure we relieve, as much as we can, pressure on our NHS."

The Welsh government has confirmed that they too will be closing schools. 

Welsh minister for education Kirsty Williams said plans were being made for schools in Wales to be repurposed to help people "involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak".

She said: "I can announce we are bringing forward the Easter break for schools in Wales. Schools across Wales will close for statutory provision of education at the latest on 20 March 2020.

"I have been clear up to now that the continuity of education and the wellbeing of our learners has been at the heart of my decision-making. This will always be the case.

"From next week, schools will have a new purpose. They will help support those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak."

In his press briefing this evening, Boris Johnson said schools in England will close their gates on Friday until further notice for all but vulnerable children and children of key workers. 

He urged parents not to leave children in the care of grandparents or older relatives who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus.

He said meals and vouchers would be provided for pupils who currently receive free school lunches, but said "exams will not take place as planned in May and June".

The move comes as the Welsh Government said all schools will close for an early Easter break by Friday at the latest, just minutes before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced schools in Scotland will also close by the end of the week.