Video: School draws up contingency plans in case it has to close

The headteacher of Huntington School John Tomsett has said his team are drawing up contingency plans in case it is forced to close in the coming days.

Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was no need to close schools yet, but he did say trips abroad by students shouldn’t go ahead.

Speaking on BBC News, Mr Tomsett said his staff are putting together online teaching materials as part of their plans to allow pupils to continue their studies at home if required.

Should a school with 1700 pupils expect to be closed by coronavirus? Headteacher @johntomsett told #AfternoonLive he is working to measures protect the safety of staff and pupils of his #York secondary school pic.twitter.com/6VKoohue0a

— Simon McCoy (@BBCSimonMcCoy) March 12, 2020

He told the BBC:

• I think whatever happens it is going to be really really difficult for us to get meaningful materials to students.

  We have online materials for students so they can continue their studies at home and we’ll have hard copies for those who don’t have connectivity.

  I oversee 1,700 people meeting every day. We have soap everywhere, we have hand sanitiser – we have the European mountain of hand sanitiser around the place.