Education secretary Gavin Williamson has defended keeping schools open and praised teachers as being on the frontline in the nation’s efforts against the coronavirus.

He also said that he had instructed chief inspector Amanda Spielman to suspend routine Ofsted inspections and that she was in full agreement.

In a video posted on social media addressing school staff, he said the government was being guided by medical advice that said there would not be a major health benefit to closing schools.

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However, he said schools could close in future if the advice changes.

It comes as school leaders’ unions warn that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep schools open because of staff shortages.

He said: “I wanted to thank you all for your cooperation at this difficult time.

“The current medical and scientific guidance indicates that at this stage schools and other educational settings should remain open.

“The chief medical officer has said that the impact of closing schools on children’s education will be substantial but the benefit to public health would not be.

“We are following the advice of our medical and scientific community every step of the way.

“If there comes a point where the chief medical officer and the government’s chief scientific adviser tells us that closing schools would be in the best interests of children and teachers we will take this step.”

Mr Williamson said he had been in talks with school leaders and the unions about how to support schools and minimise the disruption to allow them to stay open.   

He said: “I recognise that teachers are doing everything they can to support the children in their care and help make sure that key workers can continue to go to work.

“Teachers really are on the frontline of our national effort. I know that staff shortages are presenting teachers and headteachers with great challenges and I want to say how grateful I am for their civic and community leadership.

“I also want to remove unnecessary burdens to help schools to cope.

“Given the pressures on our school leaders and their staff, it is only right that Ofsted temporarily suspends its routine inspection timetable.

“This will help schools to focus on their core functions at an already very difficult time.

“I’ve therefore instructed the chief inspector, who is in complete agreement, to suspend all routine inspections.”