A SCHOOL in Malvern will cancel all school events due to fears surrounding coronavirus.

In a statement, Chase School headteacher Mike Fieldhouse said large gatherings within the school will also be cancelled.

This also includes school trips and sporting fixtures, which will be cancelled from this week (March 16).

He said: "In light of the government’s announcement that we have now moved to the ‘delay phase’ with regards to the Coronavirus pandemic, although schools will remain open until instructed otherwise, we intend to cancel all school events (including trips & all sporting fixtures) from next week – certainly until the end of this term.

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"This will include the postponement of next week’s Year 8 consultation evening and the cancellation of the two scheduled Y11 and Sixth Form commendation events.

"Large gatherings within school such as assemblies and the forthcoming Spring showcase will sadly have to be cancelled as well."

Mr Fieldhouse thanked parents and staff for their support, as uncertainty continues surrounding whether schools should close due to the virus outbreak.

On Monday (March 16) the National Education Union said it is "unacceptable" for Ofsted inspections to be taking place during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary said: "It is unacceptable for Ofsted inspections to be taking place at a time of national emergency," she said.

"School leaders and staff are straining every sinew to support and protect their students.

"They should be allowed to focus on this, not have their stress made worse by the threat of an imminent Ofsted inspection."

Prime minister Boris Johnson said on March 12 that closures now could do "more harm than good", hours after Ireland announced that schools and colleges would close for a fortnight.