If/when state schools close, will private schools stay open?

[SausageCrush]

Just wondering what will happen as I have one Dc in a state school and one in a private (long story)

Doubt it, because it will be a total shut down of all educational establishments.

Around us I think private are going to shut before state.

It depends if they can afford to. I'm guessing if it's a boarding school they might go into lockdown, but remain open so they can still charge the parents. This is what we anticipate happening at the school my husband works at.

I teach in a private school, and we have made no intimation that we are looking to close at the minute. We are going to try to make it to the Easter holidays in two weeks.

A bunch of our international boarders will be going home early, though, as their parents are scared and want them home, which is understandable.

According to The Times, new laws will also allow the government to force schools and nurseries to stay open if they're closed by teachers or staff during the pandemic.

No state schools will be closing.

If it’s state ordered then I wouldn’t think it will distinguish between public or private it will be all establishments. In my area the indications are private schools are planning to close early for Easter. There has been no similar indication of that for state schools in the same area.

If this helps, we are an independent primary and we will close on government advice, along with everyone else. We've had several meetings about it and are prepping like mad making homeschool packs.

If Government says all schools to close and private stay open they may wish to have a look at their insurance. I doubt they will remain open.

We will close (independent) and switch to virtual teaching.

Have you a link @reefedsail
I can’t find it by googling/browsing The Times.

Ah I found this on iNews
if they're closed by teachers or staff during the pandemic.

*According to The Times, new laws will also allow the government to force schools and nurseries to stay open if they're closed by teachers or staff during the pandemic.

No state schools will be closing.*

Contradicts what Arlene Foster said earlier - that when schools close it will be for 16 weeks(!!!!)

We have been given the option whether to return tomorrow or not.
My dd and her class have decided to go in, but very small school.
They are GCSE year and boarders.
I think they have to close if state schools close.
Some international children are going/ have gone as soon as they can.
Little ones some as young as 8 haven't been home since December.

Eton college has closed. :) That should give you an indication.

GreyishDays it means that even if a Headteacher thinks their school is dangerously understaffed due to illness, it will still have to remain open.

Or if the Headteacher thinks so many of the school community have the virus that the school should shut to be deep-cleaned, it will still have to remain open.

Doesn't really sound like the Government planning to direct them to close.

Or it could mean that it will be a general thing, not up to individual schools. I’m hoping so.

Have one in boarding. We have been told today that the info given them by the Boarding Schools Assoc' is that children can should and are filtering off home, particularly international students, and that parents are free to choose whetjer they return after Easter.

I wonder if the next thing will be to suspend EHCPs like they've reduced the required standard of care in care homes. If only a fraction of staff are limping a school along for months, there won't be much 1:1 happening or any intervention.

In this case our school will be guided by the government. Boarders (many Chinese) have been told they cannot go home (or may not be allowed back), so the boarding houses will stay open over Easter (as they were over half term).
They have been testing online learning last week as they will try and continue classes at least for A level and GCSE students, and provide work for other years.
Easter break is in two weeks so I think they may try and stay open until then bar any on site cases.

@CKoRn no, Eton has not closed

I assume private schools will be treated the same as private nurseries, and in other countries nurseries have closed as well as schools.

In DS’s boarding school host families seem to be looking after international pupils who can’t go home in the Easter holidays

I read the school thing was more about vulnerable children?

I'm sure legal people can put a case forward that it's not safe or legal to keep dc in school in a pandemic?

Lots of our international boarders have left, basically getting out of the country while they still can, but with strict instructions that they need to work and be back for public exams. Overseas trips are cancelled for Easter. We are maki g plans for setting work if needed but I think we will eke it out til Easter in two weeks then we have 3 weeks off. It ducks for y11/u6 and their exams potentially.