HAMPSHIRE County Council responded swiftly to the government s announcement that schools would close, a senior councillor has said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced late on Monday night that schools were to close the following day to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers. But with just a handful of hours to prepare for the new rules, at least 55 schools in Hampshire had to fully close on Tuesday. This caused chaos with some key workers unable to go to work as they had to look after their children - including some staff at Hampshire Hospitals. Now, the county council s executive member for education has outlined the measures that it put in place to ensure services could continue.
GCSE and A-level exams in England will be replaced by school-based assessments but a Southampton MP said the decision “will be causing a huge amount of anxiety” to pupils in the city. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that teachers’ estimated grades will be used to replace cancelled GCSEs and A-levels this summer. The news comes as earlier this week the Prime Minister announced the closure of schools and colleges as part of a new national lockdown. Mr Williamson said the government will “put trust in teachers rather than algorithms”. But Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead raised concerns over the move.
Basingstoke schools brace for staggered return Schools in Basingstoke are preparing for a month of staggered return of students following a decision by the government’s latest coronavirus announcement. Primary schools are still set to open next week but secondary school pupils in exam years are now due to return to education settings in the week beginning January 11. All secondary school and college students will return full time on January 18. Reacting to the news, Chris Edwards, headteacher of Brighton Hill Community College in Basingstoke, said the reopening plans were largely expected. Mr. Edwards told Gazette: “We are completely committed to making them work. All schools in Basingstoke and Deane have worked incredibly hard to make their communities as Covid-safe as possible and we will continue to do so.”