Need-to-know: All schools to remain open unless DfE explicitly tells them to close

If you are directed to close, you'll still be expected to remain open to vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers.

Last reviewed on 27 November 2020

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What we know so far

The DfE has announced that it will be the one to decide whether to partially close schools, and it'll do this only as a last resort
It could apply restrictions to a cluster of schools, local area, local authority or local region
If your school partially closes, this’ll be kept under review and you’ll be advised to fully open as soon as it's safe to do so
All schools will remain open to vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers at all times
In your contingency plan, you’re expected to include how you’ll operate under the restrictions (see below)

How this will apply to different schools

The DfE might apply restrictions to one, some or all settings in an area. It hasn't yet set out how it’ll alert you when restrictions are put in place.

EYFS settings and primary schools: all pupils

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