For the foreseeable future, schools are only open to children of key workers, vulnerable students or those with an EHCP. Matt Bromley looks at what kind of provision we can reasonably offer these pupils at a time of national crisis and staff shortages

At the time of writing, the government has not issued any specific guidance to headteachers on how they should staff their schools to cater for the children of key workers as well as our most vulnerable students during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, March 22, the Department for Education simply had this to say: “Schools should discuss (staffing) with their local authority or trust when making decisions about school capacity.” (DfE, 2020a)

They have, however, confirmed that all teachers will continue to be paid as normal and that schools will be funded to pay staff to work over Easter.

Some schools are mandating all staff, except those who are self-isolating, to continue to go to school; others are asking for volunteers and making it clear no-one has to attend if they do not want to.

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