Greenwich backs down in school closure dispute with government Greenwich LBC has backed down in its dispute with the government over its plans to close schools early due to rising numbers of Covid infections after ministers issued a formal directive. Education secretary Gavin Williamson last night issued a temporary continuity direction to the council to keep its state schools open to pupils and not switch to remote teaching for the final four days of term, or face legal action. Council leader Danny Thorpe (Lab) said this morning he had “no choice” but to ask schools to remain open, as he could not “justify the use of public funds to fight the decision in the courts”.