Leeds Council release statement after announcement Leeds schools will close after Friday due to coronavirus

Schools across the UK will close from Friday with no date set for when they will reopen.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs that keeping schools open had become “increasingly challenging” due to staff sickness and student absences due to coronavirus.

But he said children of key workers - those in the NHS, police, and deliver drivers for example - could still go to school to enable their parents to go to work.

Vulnerable children would also still be able to attend school and those entitled to free school meals would get vouchers.

Mr Williamson said: "I want to provide parents, students and staff with the certainty they need.

"After schools shut their gates on Friday afternoon they will remain closed until further notice.

"This will be for all children except to those of key workers and where children who are most vulnerable."

Leeds Council have now released a statement following the announcement.

A statement posted on the council website said: “Following this recent announcement by the Government, we will continue to work closely with schools, academies, children centres and other learning settings to navigate through this unprecedented situation.

“Our priority now is to ensure that we are collectively able to support the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities at this extremely difficult time, and we will be liaising with headteachers to develop plans to ensure that our most vulnerable learners and the children of keyworkers can continue to attend school.

"In addition, we are already putting plans in motion to continue to provide free school meals and any other additional support required to ensure the health and wellbeing of young people in the city.

“I want to thank all school and learning staff in Leeds for everything they have done and continue to do for pupils and their families in these highly challenging times.”