No answer, yet, on exam question

decisions about closure are normally for individual head teachers to make. “However, in the current pandemic, the Department of Health has made it clear that a school may only close on grounds of suspected cases of Covid-19 with the permission of Public Health England.”

Schools have been altering their daily routines to cope with the pandemic.

The Stour Academy Trust runs eight primary schools in Kent, including Adisham Primary and Water Meadows. School trips and swimming lessons have been cancelled and children put in class assemblies instead of whole school assemblies.

The schools also each identified a special isolation room where any child who developed a persistent cough or high temperature has been asked to wait while his or her parents were contacted to come and collect them.

Staff have stepped up cleaning and disinfection regimes to ensure any objects or surfaces that are touched regularly have been kept clean. Children also received additional lessons in the importance of hand-washing and good hygiene.

Meanwhile, the University of Kent has suspended all face-toface teaching and supervision. Students are now being asked to access lectures remotely online. Study areas at the university such as the Drill Hall and Templeman Libraries remain accessible to students and the on-campus accommodation also remains open. Canterbury Christ Church University has “paused teaching” as it prepares to move to remote learning on Monday. All public events on campus have been cancelled until further notice.

■ It wasn't just school exams affected - the College of Policing cancelled its Sergeant’s exams, due to be held on Tuesday. Kent Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling said: “Our communities need us now.”

The big question on most pupils’ lips remains unanswered. What will happen to school exams? The Department of Education has made no indication that GCSES or A -Levels will be postponed or cancelled. KCC said the decision was not theirs to make and was down to the government.

The Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, said: “I know pupils will be worried. “This is only to be expected, especially when so much hard work has gone into them. “We are doing everything to make sure that this year’s exams are fair for students, and that their efforts will be fairly rewarded.

“We will keep you informed.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson