RUGBY School and Bilton Grange Preparatory School closed today (Wednesday March 18) until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for the affiliated schools said the decision was taken ‘in the best interests of the children in our care, and our staff’.
No cases of the virus have been reported at the schools.
They said: “In view of the fast-moving situation regarding the impact of the virus, and the prime minister’s announcements about the measures to be taken in the UK to prevent its spread, the Executive Leadership of Rugby School and Bilton Grange have taken the decision to close the sites to students and visitors.
“The government’s guidance for those with symptoms to ‘stay at home for 14 days’ is particularly challenging in a boarding school environment.
“Our priority is to ensure students are with their parent or guardian, whilst appropriate travel arrangements can be made. Distance learning will start on Friday morning.
“This is a worrying time for all of us, but we hope you will agree that it is preferable for children to be with their families until it is deemed safe for the school sites to reopen.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs today that further decisions on school closures in England were “to be taken imminently”.
