Coronavirus UK school closures: What schools have closed? And will it help?

9 March 2020, 11:47 | Updated: 7 June 2023, 08:56

Why are they shutting schools for the coronavirus? And where are they? Here’s everything you need to know about coronavirus school closures.

Schools in the UK are facing up to two months of closures after a case of coronavirus is detected.

As the virus is spreading globally, the UK has more than 460 coronavirus cases so far, with many schools finding themselves having to isolate students and pupils, even having to close schools.

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So which schools have had closures so far? And why are they shutting them for so long?

Here’s everything you need to know about coronavirus in schools in the UK and some of the schools that have had to deal with closures:

Coronavirus has shut down schools to help prevent spreading the virus any further. Picture: PA

Coronavirus UK: What schools have closed and why?

So far there have been many confirmed cases where schools have closed to prevent further spreading of COVID-19.

Some of the previously confirmed cases are:

Dublin - A secondary school closed for 14 days following a student’s return from an infected area in Italy. He’s being monitored in Dublin’s hospital with infection-control measures.

Tetbury, Gloucestershire - Closed for three days after a staff member tested positive.

Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire - School closed for the a few days following a ski trip to Italy.

Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough - Pupils infected here were also the result of an Italy ski trip.

Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Brixham, Devon - Reports suggest they've closed over a suspected coronavirus case.

Tamworth, Stoke-On-Trent - closed after a staff member tested positive.

Woodlands School in Whitleigh, Plymouth - closed for a deep clean after a member of staff "potentially" came into contact with an individual who is being tested for Covid-19.

It's advised to keep check on your school's websites for further closures.

School closures in Ireland

All schools in Ireland have closed until March 31st to help prevent any further spread of coronavirus.

Coronavirus cases in the UK has increased to nearly 300. Picture: PA

Why are they shutting schools for coronavirus?

At the moment, schools are closing anywhere between two days to two weeks, but health officials warn they could even close them for two months.

This is so all the necessary work can be carried out - from investigating who the infected person would have come in contact with, to providing the schools with deep cleans. The more cases in one school the longer the closure.

The aim is to hopefully stop the virus spreading to anymore people.

Will school closures help stop the spread of the coronavirus?

Nurseries, schools and colleges are notorious for spreading diseases and infections so closing a school makes sense in order to prevent mass spreading.

Ultimately now, the advice is to “self-isolate” to avoid anymore school closures.