Education Secretary Gavin Williamson made the announcement in the House of Commons last month, where he said all schools would be closed “until further notice”. It is still unclear officially how long schools will be closed for, and is dependent on the country’s ability to stymie the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari on LBC Radio, Mr Williamson said: “I wish I could say with absolute certainty as to the date the children would be going back to school.

“All teachers, headteachers and myself will be working and doing everything we can.”

When Nick Ferrari suggested it wouldn’t be until September, Mr Williamson responded: “It wouldn’t be unreasonable to make that assumption.

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“But if we are successful in getting this pandemic under control and making sure that the spread of the virus is stopped, then we would all like to see things go back to normal as soon as possible.”

News broke before the announcement that Scotland and Wales had taken the decision to close schools.

However, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders hinted this week schools could return in the early summer.

The Education Minister for Wales also proposed schools may not reopen until September.

Kirsty Williams announced all schools in the country will close  and exams are cancelled because of coronavirus.

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Speaking to BBC Wales, Ms Williams said: “I want schools back to normal as quickly as possible, however, I’m not in a position to tell parents when that will be.

“We’re at the mercy of the progression of this epidemic. As soon as we’re advised by scientists and clinicians it is safe to do so we will open schools.”

“We’re looking at what we can do to support workers who are needed on the front line.

“We’re looking at how we can support our most vulnerable learners.

“After the Easter break I know many schools will be continuing to do what they can on a variety of platforms to carry on some form of learning.

“It won’t be business as usual.”

The Welsh Government will also be given extra powers to deal with the epidemic through the Coronavirus Bill, which will soon gain Royal Assent.

First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: “My view is that it is now inevitable that we will close schools and nurseries.

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“My planning assumption is that schools will close to pupils at the end of this week. I wanted today to give parents notice of that.”

She said the decision was based on two factors: “First is the science. I expect that is likely to tell us to close schools.

“Secondly, schools are reaching the point where they have lost too many staff to continue.”

She added: “The clearest guidance I can give is that schools and nurseries will not reopen after the Easter break.

“At this stage I cannot promise that they will reopen before the summer holidays.”

Schools in Northern Ireland have also followed suit.

At a press conference on last month the First Minister Arlene Foster said: “We have agreed that all schools will close to pupils from Monday 23 March.

“The societal and economic impact of this measure will be enormous as parents have to adjust their routine to deal with this unplanned long-term closure.”

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