Will schools shut a week early this Christmas term over fears of Covid-19 isolating?

Head teachers insist schools will remain open until the week before Christmas - despite the risk children might have to self-isolate throughout the festive period.

Schools are due to break up on Friday, December 18, meaning if there is a positive Covid-19 case in the classroom that week, staff and pupils will have to stay home for 14 days, missing out on seeing extended family over the break.

But despite this, the government is remaining firm in that schools should stay open, instead of shutting on December 11.

Kent County Council says it doesn't have the power to order a full closure of schools and is supporting them to stay open so children can access education.

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