There are “no plans” to move schools on to rota systems, the government has confirmed.

And any changes to attendance will be implemented “as a last resort”, the Department for Education said this afternoon.

The news comes shortly after the DfE issued new guidance on how the national lockdown, starting at midnight tonight, will affect schools.

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The guidance itself did not contain a single mention of the word “rota”.

Coronavirus: ‘We can’t allow education to be disrupted again’

But in a subsequent press release, the DfE stated: “The guidance published today continues the government’s approach to prioritising pupils’ full-time education in school.

“There are currently no plans for school closures or to implement rota systems. Any changes to attendance would be implemented as a last resort.”

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “We must put the interests of our children and young people first, especially when the benefits of being in the classroom are clear.

“Children are settled back into their routines, and schools have protective measures in place to keep their staff and pupils as safe as possible.

“Education is a national priority and we cannot allow it to be disrupted again.”