Leeds school closures: When lockdown ends and half term and school holiday dates - and college and university rules

In a televised address to the nation on Monday night, the Prime Minister bowed to significant pressure to order primary schools, secondaries and colleges to move to remote teaching for the majority of students from Tuesday.

Several schools in Leeds were closed on Monday and staff at one primary school handed in letters to the headteacher "exercising their right not to teach".

The Government has now confirmed the closure of all schools in England, except for vulnerable children and children of keyworkers.

Mr Johnson said: “Because we now have to do everything we possibly can to stop the spread of the disease, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow, except for vulnerable children and the children of keyworkers.”

However, early years settings such as nurseries will still be accessible.

Here's everything you need to know about Leeds school closures, holiday dates and the rules for universities:

When will schools and colleges reopen?

The third national lockdown is expected to last until at least mid-February, with schools and colleges to remain closed until February half-term.

As it stands, schools in the city are expected to reopen for the second half of the Spring term.

Urging caution about the timetable, Mr Johnson said: “If our understanding of the virus doesn’t change dramatically, once again, if the rollout of the vaccine programme continues to be successful, if deaths start to fall as the vaccine takes effect and – critically – if everyone plays their part by following the rules, then I hope we can steadily move out of lockdown, reopening schools after the February half-term and starting cautiously to move regions down the tiers.”

When are half-term and school holiday dates in Leeds?

February half-term in Leeds is between Monday 15 and Friday 19.

Here are the school holiday and term dates in Leeds for the rest of the year:

Spring term (second half): Monday 22 February - Thursday 1 April

Easter holiday: Friday 2 April - Friday 16 April

Summer term (first half): Monday 19 April - Friday 28 May

May half term: Monday 31 May - Friday 4 June

Summer term (second half): Monday 7 June - Tuesday 27 July

Summer holidays: Wednesday 28 July - Friday 3 September

​What are the rules for universities in Leeds?

University students will not be allowed to return to their institutions in Leeds during the lockdown.

Lessons will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses, the Government has confirmed.

Will exams go ahead?

Mr Johnson said the move on schools means “it’s not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer, as normal”.

He said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will work with regulator Ofqual to put in place “alternative arrangements”.

The PM added: “We will provide extra support to ensure that pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive them while schools are closed, and we will distribute more devices to support remote education.”