SCHOOLS are already drawing up plans to stay shut in January as Omicron fears grow.
The blueprint emerged as the number of children absent due to Covid soared to 235,600 — the second highest this year.
As alarm grows that the nation is moving towards a new lockdown, panicked heads are planning a slew of restrictions for after Christmas.
Several schools have already shut early due to staff shortages or Omicron concerns.
And Trending In The News understands several in London and Kent have told parents to make sure children take all their books and devices home in their final days of term — in case they have to return to online learning next month.
Steve Chalke, head of the Oasis Academy chain, said his schools are preparing to bring back bubbles, rota lessons, staggered starts and an extension of mask wearing.
He said: “We are quite prepared for online learning. If we get to January 2 and the Prime Minister says all schools need to be shut, we are prepared.
“January is the great unknown. But Omicron is sweeping London now and it is going to sweep the country.”
He said around 400 of his 4,000 teachers are off sick — and warned this number could “treble or quadruple”.
Geoff Barton, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools were already seeing “severe low attendance” due to so many pupils being ill with Covid.
National Association of Head Teachers’ chief Paul Whiteman said: “The Government needs to think very carefully about the mitigations it needs to take to keep schools open next term. Doing nothing is not a plausible or realistic option.”
Department for Education sources played down speculation of a shutdown, insisting ministers are doing everything possible to keep schools open.
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