Back to school: All children to return in September
The prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) has decreased, the NHS Test and Trace system is up and running, and the government have clear measures that need to be in place to create safer environments within schools.
Preparations for children going back to school
Schools have been asked to prepare to welcome all children back this autumn. While Coronavirus (COVID-19) remains in the community, judgements will be made at a school level about how to balance minimising any risks from Coronavirus (COVID-19). This will be done by maximising control measures whilst providing a full educational experience for children and young people. Schools have been advised to use their existing resources to make arrangements to welcome all children back. There are no plans at present to reimburse additional costs incurred as part of that process.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“I know these past three months have been some of the most challenging that schools have faced. What they have achieved to make sure that young people are kept safe and can continue to learn during this period is remarkable, and I am incredibly grateful for that.”
“Nothing can replace being in the classroom, so ever since schools, colleges and nurseries closed to most children, we have been working hard to ensure they can reopen as soon as possible. We have already seen more than 1.5 million children and young people return, but we must make sure all pupils can go back to school in September, giving them the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential.”
“I want to reassure parents and families that we are doing everything we can to make sure schools, nurseries, colleges and other providers are as safe as possible for children and staff, and will continue to work closely with the country’s best scientific and medical experts to ensure that is the case.”
What needs to happen in school
Schools has been advised to implement class or year sized bubbles, as well as encouraging staff and pupils, where they are able, to keep their distance from each other and avoiding touching. Other measures set out in the guidance include:
- teachers to distance from each other and older students where possible
- increasing the frequency of cleaning
- reducing the use of frequently shared items
- minimising contact in corridors
The key points for back to school plans
- Grouping children together in groups or “bubbles”, a class in primary and year group in secondary
- Avoiding contact in school between these groups, with separate starting, finishing, lunch and break times
- Attendance compulsory with the threat of penalty fines
- Test and trace in place for schools
- Regular cleaning of hands
- Those with symptoms told to stay out of school
- No big group events like school assemblies and arranging classrooms with forward facing desks
- Separate groups on school buses and discouraging the use of public transport
- Pupils will be expected to continue with all their GCSEs and A-levels
You can find out more information about guidance for schools here: Find out more
For more information on what is expected from parents, click here: Find out more
For information about how to support a child returning to school after lockdown, click here: Find out more