THE chief executive of the trust in charge of a group of Wyre Forest schools has shared "major concerns" for the students who will no longer sit exams in May and June.

The Government announced yesterday that all schools in the country will be closed indefinitely this Friday and all exams have been cancelled in an effort to curb the ongoing rise in coronavirus cases.

Chris King, chief executive of the Severn Academies Educational Trust (SAET), which includes Stourport High, Baxter College, Stourport Primary, St Bartholomew's CE, Wilden All Saints' CE, Wolverley Sebright, Hartlebury CE and Far Forest Lea Memorial, said there were major concerns for secondary school pupils while detailed plans on how students will get their qualifications are yet to be confirmed.

He also said that some SAET schools are likely to remain partially open to care for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

Mr King said: "Our school leaders, teaching and IT staff have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for enforced closures to ensure that all our children have access to their education.

"Our primary schools have access to all resources via @weharewonde and secondary schools via @googleforedu @doddlelearn @showmyhomework.

“On top of that, work packs have been prepared and arrangements made for any pupils who do not have access to the internet.

“It is likely that some of our schools will be kept partially open to care for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils and we will, of course, work fully with the Department for Education in this provision, but we don’t have any details yet.

"A major concern is for those secondary school pupils who were to sit important external examinations in May and June which have now been cancelled. The Prime Minister has stated they will get the qualifications they need but he has not yet announced how this will happen."

Mr King added: "I would like to thank all our staff for the phenomenal work they have done to keep their schools open and to keep themselves and pupils safe.

"I also wish to thank parents and caters and the wider community for their forbearance during this unprecedented situation.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said a full list of everyone who can carry on sending their kids in from Monday will be released later on today.