Will schools and colleges be closed again tomorrow? Queen’s funeral bank holiday date and closures explained

The country has been in a period of mourning following the Queen‘s death.

Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday 8 September.

In a statement announcing her death at the time, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The Queen dedicated her life to her royal duty.

She was the first British monarch in history to reach her Platinum Jubilee, and has died just three months after the national celebrations in June celebrating her 70 years on the throne.

The Queen was also the longest-reigning still-serving monarch in the world.

Following her death the country will go into mourning and a state funeral will be held.

There will be disruption to instiutions like the stock market, days off work for many people and closures of schools.

Here is all you need to know:

Will schools close for the Queen’s funeral?

Schools were closed on the day of Elizabeth II’s funeral as it is a bank holiday.

The King announced the new bank holiday for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

According to Operation London Bridge, her funeral would take place 10 days after her death.

Elizabeth II died on Thursday, 8 September.

The Queen’s funeral took place on Monday, 19 September at 11am.

Schools and colleges are shut for just the one day only - reopening on Tuesday (20 September).

When will schools reopen?

Schools and colleges will reopen on Tuesday (20 September).

Could schools close during the mourning period?

A mourning period will begin following the death of Elizabeth II.

The Department for Education has advised schools to remain open at this time.

Schools Week reports that an email sent to schools and colleges said “normal attendance is expected”, but “headteachers continue to have the power to authorise leaves of absence for pupils in exceptional circumstances”.

How long is mourning period for the Queen?

There will be a 12-day mourning period for the Queen in the UK.

Flags are being flown at half-mast and books of condolence have been opened for people to pay their respects.

As the Queen died in Balmoral, her body will lie in Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, before being carried up the Royal Mile to St. Giles’s Cathedral.

She will eventually travel by Royal Train to Buckingham Palace to lie in state in the throne room.

What events are cancelled?

As a mark of respect some events and activities will be cancelled until after the Queen’s funeral.

The BBC will suspend all standard programming and offer coverage of the event.

Shops will close or will operate under reduced opening hours on the day of the Queen’s funeral, whilst all comedy events will be cancelled during the national mourning period.

Was there be a bank holiday for Queen’s funeral?

A new bank holiday was announced by the King for the Queen’s funeral.

It was approved at his Accession Council at the State Apartments at St James’s Palace.

The announcement means that schools and large parts of society were closed on the day of the Queen’s funeral.