Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of our sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a period of National Mourning has started and will continue until the end of the State Funeral. This is a period of time for reflection in response to the death of the Sovereign.

The official date of the State Funeral is 19th September 2022. This day will be a bank holiday and settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day as a mark of respect. This will include schools and colleges.

We wanted to make clear to our families, following the above communication from the Department for Education, that St Bede will be closed on 19th September 2022. This will enable staff, pupils and families to reflect on the life of service of Queen Elizabeth II and to observe the State Funeral taking Place on that day. As a school community we are grateful for the example the Queen set us all and send our condolences to all who mourn her passing.