Greenwich council ordered to withdraw early closure request
The education secretary Gavin Williamson has ordered Greenwich council to withdraw its early school closure request, after it had urged schools to move to online learning in the last week of term.
It's the first time the education secretary has used emergency coronavirus powers granted earlier this year.
Greenwich council urged schools across the borough to close due to the significant growth of Covid cases.
The direction orders the council to withdraw letters sent to headteachers on Sunday asking them to close their schools at the end of today. It asks them to do so by 10am tomorrow at the latest. The council has also been ordered to issue a ‘Schools Opening Requirement’ letter provided by Williamson to all headteachers in the borough.
Latest News
28/04/2026 - 09:56
A new survey by the British Council has revealed that more than two thirds (67%) of primary school age children say they would like to spend more time at school learning a language.
28/04/2026 - 09:38
A survey by school leaders’ union NAHT has found that 51% of its members had buildings or areas that were out of use or not fit for purpose.
27/04/2026 - 09:45
Forty-four per cent of education professionals are unfamiliar with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law, according to new research.
24/04/2026 - 12:32
A survey by Save My Exams has found that 40% of students are regularly disrupted by noise at home.
23/04/2026 - 10:13
A survey of 1,105 teachers reveals many senior leaders reporting cuts to teaching assistants (71%), support staff (49%) and teaching staff (30%).
