SCHOOL kitchens will remain open to help struggling families feed their children as leaders call for more clarity and guidance from the Government.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced schools across the UK are to shut from next week.

Headteachers are calling for clarity over the decision, with the children of key workers still permitted to attend school.

Mr Williamson said a list of the eligible workers is set to be released.

He added more details would be given today on how pupils would be awarded grades after exams were cancelled.

The Colchester Schools Consortium, made up of more than a dozen schools across the borough, said: “As headteachers, our biggest concern is how our most vulnerable families will cope, especially those families who are not in secure work or on zero hours contracts who by self-isolating face extreme hardship.”

Scott Holder, executive headteacher at Philip Morant School and College, told parents the announcement had brought about “more questions than answers”.

The school is open for Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 until the end of today while work for pupils is available online.

“Having indicated all schools would be closed, he then indicated they would be expected to remain open for the children of key workers and for those in various vulnerable categories – providing a safe place and access to meals,” said Mr Holder.

“We are expecting a definition of ‘key worker’ later today from the Department of Education.

“It will take time to determine the nature of this provision and we will then be putting in steps to identify those will be affected by this.

“Although we have been anticipating such an announcement, and prepared for various scenarios, the limited details so far released raise considerably more questions than answers.”

He added: “The Secretary of State gave no undertaking that schools would be expected to sustain a pattern of normal learning during the closure; rather that any available staff would be expected to support other frontline efforts.

“We are planning to ensure that the work provided for those working at home will also be used to support pupils attending school.”

Berechurch ward councillor Dave Harris called for care home workers to be included in the list of key workers.

He added: “As I understand it, schools will still use their kitchens and the parents of children who are eligible for free school meals will be able to pick them up from school.”

The Monkwick Munch Club, which supports children in need, will offer a drop-off service via appointment.

“We are desperately short on supplies, so if anyone can help in that regard it would be very much appreciated,” said Mr Harris.

To help, email Mr Harris on councillor.dave.harris@hotmail.co.uk.

The worried councillor added: “People have cleaned shops out of almost all goods.

“I myself took a disabled man, who wasn’t self-isolating, to a smaller shop and had a word with the shopkeeper who could help him to get what he needed.

“If we all took steps like this and just calmed down, things would be a lot better.”