TODAY marks the first day of school closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with classrooms across the nation falling quiet.

However, for many, it is business as usual - but on a smaller scale.

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The government still wants schools to stay open with a skeleton crew of staff, to provide for key workers' children and the most vulnerable pupils, who cannot safely be cared for at home.

This will continue for the foreseeable future, even through the Easter holidays.

According to a list compiled by Oxfordshire County Council, the vast majority of our schools remain partially open today.

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However, these are the schools that were listed as being completely closed, at the time of publication:

  • Badgemore Community School near Henley
  • Benson Church of England School
  • Drayton Community Primary School
  • Enstone Primary School
  • Fringford CE Primary School near Bicester
  • Gagle Brook Primary School in Bicester
  • Heyford Park Free School
  • Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge Community School
  • Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys
  • St Barnabas' CE Primary School in Oxford
  • St Nicholas' CE Primary School near Wantage
  • Tetsworth Primary School near Thame

About 40 schools had not yet confirmed with the council if they intended to open or not.

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Many of the schools listed above have agreed with a neighbouring or partnered school to provide for any key worker or vulnerable children, so they will still be provided for.

Meanwhile, these schools were listed as being open (as opposed to partially open): 

  • Fitzwaryn School in Wantage
  • Frank Wise School in Banbury
  • John Watson School in Wheatley 
  • Mabel Prichard School in Blackbird Leys
  • The Orion Academy in Blackbird Leys (formerly Northfield School)

These are all special schools, whose pupils are considered by the government to be vulnerable and eligible for continued provision.

Parents whose children are entitled to continue school attendance have been told to only send them in if it is absolutely necessary.

In a letter to parents, joint headteachers at Frank Wise School said: "The more children that can safely remain at home, the longer we are likely to be able to remain open for those who really need us and we are therefore asking you to support us by keeping your child at home unless you are genuinely unable to do so."