With the Government announcing the closure of schools in the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future, Dr Michael Wyness from the University of Warwick  Centre for Education Studies has commented on the new set of challenges this brings.

Dr Wyness said: "The ambiguity as to what constitutes ‘essential social contact’ has been partly resolved with the closing down of schools due to the coronavirus from Monday 23^rd March. While schools have remained open over the past couple of weeks despite concerns around social distancing, yesterday’s decision from the government will have major consequences for children, school staff and parents. An imminent lock down may force a solution to providing childcare for children unable to attend school.

"For some parents the anxiety remains over pay and income. Teachers, many who are parents themselves, will have to provide alternative on-line educational packages for students who may struggle to adapt to ‘home-schooling’. They will also potentially have to provide alternative assessments for GCSE and A level students, unable now to sit their exams in May and June. Finally, GCSE and A levels students have had the rug pulled from under them, generating concerns over how and when they are assessed as they prepare for the next stages of their formal education."

19 March 2020

Contact:

Peter Thorley
Media Relations Manager (Warwick Medical School and Department of Physics)

Email: peter.thorley@warwick.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)24 761 50868

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