Are special needs schools closing?
FOLLOWING Boris Johnson's shock announcement that schools will close due to the coronavirus, parents are concerned that their children with special needs may be affected.
Here's all you need to know about the upcoming school closure and how it may impact your kids.
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Are special needs schools closing due to coronavirus?
Schools across the country are set to close their doors indefinitely this Friday, but some will remain open to look after vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
According to the Government, vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans – a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs and the support they require.
If your child doesn't fall into these groups, they should remain home with appropriate care.
What will happen to pupils entitled to special needs support?
Students with special needs will still be able to attend their school and access the support they require.
But in some cases, schools may be unable to look after these children due to staffing issues linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Where schools are unable to look after these children, local authorities will work with the Department for Education's regional team to ensure an alternative option is available in the same area.
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Have any special needs schools been forced to close?
Some special needs schools have been forced to close as a preventative measure to protect its students and staff.
Bedelsford School in Kingston shut its gates indefinitely earlier this week.
The school had previously closed after a staff member was tested for coronavirus, but the test came back negative.
A group of Suffolk schools which look after vulnerable children also shut down earlier this week, with more than 400 students impacted.
