At 5.15pm yesterday, the Secretary of State for Education gave a public statement that all schools in England would be closed from the end of the school day on Friday.

Having indicated that all schools would be closed, he then indicated that they would be expected to remain open for the children of key workers and for those in vulnerable categories – providing a safe place and access to meals. We are expecting a definition of ‘key worker’ today from the Cabinet Office. It will take time to determine the nature of this provision.

As a school we need time to reflect on this news, have time to make decisions and think clearly about how we can manage this.

School will continue to operate as we have been already this week and this will include today and Friday. We will update you further once we have clearer information from the local authority later on in the day.

I will be working my senior leadership colleagues, and all staff, and the local authority to clarify as best we can what this announcement means for the school, for our pupils and for you. I anticipate providing more details later today.

Thank you for your support and for your patience in the meantime.


Kind regards

Liz Bartholomew
Head Teacher
Mayflower Primary School