Message from the Secretary of State, Ed Balls

We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu over the school holidays. The latest scientific advice to the Government is that individual school closures are now of limited benefit in stopping the spread of disease.

Given the mildness of the virus, the expert medical advice is that there is no good reason for schools to remain closed after the summer holiday. We therefore expect all schools and early-years and childcare settings in England to reopen as planned at the beginning of the new term.
However, it is still essential that adults or children with flu-like symptoms should stay away until they are free of those symptoms. They should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100 or visit Direct Gov's website, linked below.

DCSF has published revised questions and answers guidance (available on TeacherNet) and emailed schools and local authorities alerting them to this guidance.

If after reading the guidance you have any further queries, please email the DCSF using the Department's email form (linked in the web links area below). Between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, you can also call the DCSF public enquiry helpline on 0870 000 2288.