Some 66 of the city's 117 secondary, primary, nursery, academy, special, independent and free schools are keeping their doors open for either all or part of the Easter break for vulnerable children, those with the most complex special educational needs and the children of 'critical workers' to ensure that essential services can continue to function.
Meanwhile, with all schools temporarily closed to the vast majority of children, teachers are doing all they can to help pupils staying at home to continue their education journey, providing as many online or home based learning opportunities as possible to keep them occupied.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "The response of our city's schools to the coronavirus crisis has been exceptional, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them all for their efforts.
"Their work is ensuring our city's children and young people have every opportunity to continue to learn, whether that is in school or at home.
"These are difficult times, and our headteachers, leadership teams and all their staff are helping to ensure that the vulnerable, the children of key workers and all children are continuing to be able to access educational provision.
"Hundreds of young people each day are attending schools, with over half remaining open throughout what should have been the Easter holidays, while many, many more pupils are accessing their learning through the internet and other home based learning which has been laid on by schools.
"We should all be thankful for everything that our schools are doing to ensure the educational health of our young people. Their work is vital to the continuing health of Wolverhampton.”
He added: "We stated that our ambition was to ensure a good, safe and stable education provision for all children and young people who need it throughout this coronavirus emergency. Our leaders across the education system have made a great contribution to this, whilst balancing the personal challenges and needs of their staff and their families and loved ones."
According to latest figures, 87% of schools in Wolverhampton are now rated either Good or Outstanding. To find out more about education in Wolverhampton, please visit Education and Schools.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at NHS - Advice for everyone.
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit Stay Safe, Be Kind.
