English UK: all ELT centres should close in line with publicly funded schools

Schools across the UK will close on Friday 20 March 2020 and will remain closed until further notice in order to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

English UK is strongly recommending that all UK English language teaching (ELT) centres should also close at the end of the day on Friday 20 March in line with publicly funded education institutions. No date has been given for the reopening of publicly funded schools. We will monitor this situation closely and will support ELT centres in re-opening and welcoming students from around the world as soon as it is the right time to do so.

This is a public health emergency: we believe it is vital that our sector follows national advice as our priority must always be our duty of care to students, staff and the wider community.

We have informed the Department for International Trade and the Department for Education that this is our advice to all UK ELT centres.

These are unprecedented times. We would like to thank our members, international partners and the wider sector for their calm, considered and public-spirited response throughout this crisis.

View further information for English UK members on caring for students who are currently studying in centres during this time. We will continue to support our members and help everyone to weather this storm.

Steve Phillips
Chair, English UK

Jodie Gray
Interim Chief Executive, English UK