[ad_1]
As the UK enters a total lockdown, here is a breakdown of the situation with schools, colleges and universities in all four nations.
England
Schools and Universities: Elementary schools, high schools and universities will move to remote learning, with the exception of the children of key workers and vulnerable children, from January 5 to at least the February semester, Boris Johnson said as announced a national shutdown.
The prime minister admitted that “this will mean that it is not possible or fair for all exams to take place this summer normally.”
And he said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson would work with testing regulator Ofqual to establish “alternative arrangements” on how scores will be awarded for the 2020/21 academic year.
The government has also committed to providing more devices to students to support them while learning at home.
They will also provide additional support to ensure that students eligible for free school meals continue to receive them while schools are closed.
Universities: College students who traveled home for Christmas will not be able to return to campus until mid-February.
They are expected to continue their studies remotely from their current residence, when possible.
Face-to-face enrollment will only continue for a small number of critical courses, such as medicine.
Nurseries and early years: Early childhood settings such as day care centers, alternative services and special schools will remain open and vulnerable children and children of critical workers can continue to use registered day care services, babysitters and other child care activities.
Welsh
All schools and colleges will transition to online learning until January 18, and free school meals will continue to be provided to those who qualify.
Primary and secondary schools will remain open for vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers.
Special schools and student referral units should remain open “if possible,” the Welsh government said.
Scheduled exams and formal assessments can still continue and students can travel to school or university to take them, although the GCSE, AS and A-level exams have already been canceled in Wales for the summer of 2021.
Universities in Wales are wowing their start times. Students should not return to colleges for face-to-face learning until notified that they can.
Scotland
The Christmas holidays have been extended until January 11.
Elementary and secondary schools will be closed until February 1 and students will learn remotely, Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
This includes daycare, but does not apply to vulnerable children or those whose parents are key workers, as they can continue to attend school after the Christmas holidays are over.
The situation will be reviewed “in mid-January,” the prime minister said.
North Ireland
Prime Minister Arlene Foster said distance learning for school-age children should only be for a short period.
Primary students must receive distance learning during the week of January 4-8, while for secondary courses 8-11, distance learning must last the entire month.
