Leeds City Council Statement on school closures

Saleem Tariq, Leeds City Council director of children and families, said:

“Following this recent announcement by the Government, we will continue to work closely with schools, academies, children centres and other learning settings to navigate through this unprecedented situation.

“Our priority now is to ensure that we are collectively able to support the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities at this extremely difficult time, and we will be liaising with headteachers to develop plans to ensure that our most vulnerable learners and the children of keyworkers can continue to attend school. In addition, we are already putting plans in motion to continue to provide free school meals and any other additional support required to ensure the health and wellbeing of young people in the city.

“I want to thank all school and learning staff in Leeds for everything they have done and continue to do for pupils and their families in these highly challenging times.”