SCHOOLS across the country will close this week "until further notice"

The education secretary Gavin Williamson gave his briefing to the House of Commons today saying schools in England will close their doors on Friday afternoon until further notice.

A "small number" of children of key workers, and vulnerable children, will still attend. 

Mr Williamson said: "I know the situation has become increasingly challenging.

"I've said before that if the science and the advice changed, such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the best interest of children and teachers, that we would act - we are now at that stage.

"The spike of the virus is increasing at a faster pace than anticipated and it is crucial that we continue to consider the right measures to arrest this increase and to relieve the pressure on the health system.

"The public health benefits of schools remaining open as normal are shifting.

"It is also clear that schools are increasingly finding it more difficult to continue as normal as illness and self-isolation impacts on staffing levels and pupil attendance.

"The scientific advice shows that these settings are safe for this small number of children to continue attending.

"But asking others to stay away will just go towards helping us slow the spread of this virus.

"Examples of these key workers include NHS staff, police and delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work.

"Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with educational health and care plans."

Mr Williamson said the Government is "expecting" early years providers, sixth forms and further education colleges to do the same.

This follows the news schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will do the same.