Schools won’t reopen until at least June

Thursday 30 April 2020

Jersey schools won’t reopen until June at the earliest, it has been confirmed.

Following advice from Medical Officer for Health Dr Ivan Muscat, Senator Tracey Vallois has signed a Ministerial order extending the closure of most schools until 22 May, the start of the summer half-term break.

Meanwhile, Highlands, which doesn’t have a break, will be closed through to Friday 29 May. 

It means the earliest children and young people could return to education settings is 1 June – beyond the end of the current lockdown order, which is now due to expire on 11 May.

Pictured: The closure's extension will also affect Highlands.

However, officials said the return to school date will be kept under “continuous review”.

In the interim, the Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) Department says it will be working with headteachers and trade unions to plan a phased return to school.

The Education Minister said she has also requested that government considers allowing a gradual increase in the number of children able to attend private nurseries and childminders over the next four weeks.

Children of key workers will still be able to attend school, while special schools La Sente and Mont à L’Abbé remain exempted from the closures.

“Firstly, I would like to thank parents, carers and students for their understanding during this unsettling and difficult period. I know that, as a parent myself, these have been testing times but the feedback I have received is that parents are doing a wonderful job home-schooling and our students are working so hard on their learning,” Senator Vallois commented. 

Pictured: Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois.

“I would also like to acknowledge and thank everyone in our childcare settings, schools and colleges, and across the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department, for the huge amount of work that has been undertaken to provide continuity of care and learning. I am especially pleased with the support provided to pupils and students through online platforms, email and other resources.

“For those students taking formal qualifications, I remain saddened that they will not be able to undertake final examinations but am grateful for the commitment shown by teachers who are undertaking additional assessments to support the revised process of assessment and grading.”