Schools across the Midlands close to combat spread of Coronavirus

Schools across the Midlands will close today to combat the spread of Coronvirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday (March 18) that all schools, nurseries and colleges across the UK were to close.

School with vulnerable children and those of key workers are set to stay open.

GCSEs, A-Levels and SATs have been cancelled as schools across the country begin to close.

Exam boards will ask teachers to take into account "a range of evidence and data", such as mock exam results and other school work.

The calculated grades will be "a best assessment" of the work students have put in, the Government said.

Many children are having to deal with the fact that this could be their last ever day at primary or secondary school.

Pupils at Markeaton Primary School in Derby wore bright colours and wrote letters of support for friends and family.

Our Education Correspondent Peter Bearne spent the day at the school.

In the West Midlands, students at Lichfield Cathedral School spent their day saying goodbye to their friends for perhaps the whole summer. Hannah Bechelet reports.

Students from Year 2 at St. Bernadette's Primary School in Yardley, Birmingham recorded this video to say thank you to those keeping us safe from the virus.

It is not yet known when schools will re-open.

Read more:

• GCSE and A-Level results to be based on teachers predicted grades

• Coronavirus: School leaders warn of struggle to care for key workers’ children

• Schools, nurseries and colleges across UK to close as virus death toll hits 104