For those parents contemplating keeping children off school, even you don't have permission, you can obviously still keep your children at home. If you are that concerned, then surely accepting the fine (in a worst case scenario) is worth it? Unless they are in a critical year like Y11, and especially if they have pre-existing health conditions, then it's worth considering. I think schools also need to consider the way they deal with absence at the moment - and not be pushing children to come in if they feel mildly unwell and instead encouraging them to stay at home.
I agree with those who say social distancing just can't take place in schools-there isn't space and children are in close contact all the time.
I echo others in saying that the news coming out of Italy is very concerning, and we need (as a country) to take action quickly to prevent a similar scenario happening here.
I think the only positive in the UK is that community transmission numbers are still low. However if we keep importing cases, those numbers will inevitably go up. We need travel restrictions ASAP imo.
I do agree that the government is in a tricky position, because if they introduce measures too early, they will face a lot of pushback and people won't follow restrictions. But if we leave it too long it will be too late.