12 Days of Mourning off School

Schools and colleges will remain open after the Queen’s death, the government has said.

Schools across the country have paid tribute to Her Majesty, who died “peacefully” yesterday afternoon at Balmoral, aged 96, with many holding special assemblies to commemorate her “extraordinary life” of service.

The Department for Education said: “We have now entered a period of national mourning which will continue until the end of the state funeral.”

Schools are told to stay open during days of national mourning but hold special assemblies and are expected to close on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

As tributes continue to pour in, it’s clear the scale of the nation’s grief is likely to be unprecedented, so what exactly can we expect from the period of mourning?

10 days of mourning, what is closed?

The Cabinet Office will issue guidance providing the public, businesses and institutions with advice on the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

She has begun a period of national mourning for the Queen, which will continue until the end of the day of her state funeral.

Once the funeral date has been set, officials will provide further guidance to schools and colleges.

However, until more details are confirmed, schools and universities “should remain open.”

Is national mourning a public holiday?

The Queen’s funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey, with the date to be confirmed by Buckingham Palace.

The day is likely to be declared a bank holiday, but this will be confirmed by the palace and the government.

If a bank holiday is declared, schools will be closed.

The Department of Education and the delegated administrations are prepared to issue recommendations to schools, once the details have been finalized and confirmed.

Meanwhile, schools across the UK have held special assemblies and lessons to mark the Queen on Friday morning.

Schools may “consider special activities, assemblies, or adaptation of planned lessons to reflect the period of national mourning and commemorate the life of Her Majesty.”