Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to finish the winter school term early in order to ensure that children can be isolated in their family groups, ahead of any extended family gatherings that may take place in line with social distancing regulations.

The department does not currently have plans to make changes to school holidays. We will keep this under review.

As usual, parents should plan their holidays within school and college holidays and avoid seeking permission to take children out of school during term time.

Attendance at school is vital for children’s education and wellbeing, particularly for the most disadvantaged. Time out of school leads to lost learning now but will also affect children’s ability to learn in future.