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27 Jul 21

Coronavirus information (updated)

Guidance for schools, colleges, nurseries and other education and early years settings on the coronavirus, COVID-19, and information for members.

Updates 27 July 2021: England:

Education Policy Podcast 5: July 2021

Latest DfE updated guidance and information

Updates 22 July 2021: Scottish Government:

As from 19 July all settings should follow the new guidance:

Updates 20 July 2021:  Voice Community: New: COVID-19 FAQs  

Information for Voice Community members:

Click here for government guidance for each UK country.

Social media: Follow Voice Community on Facebook and Twitter (@Voicetheunion, @VoiceCymru, @VoiceScotland) for news, shared content and resources.

Voice Community resources:

Latest FAQs

COVID-19 - Staying safe at work: This booklet is to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. (17 June 2020)

Learning and Activity Resources (last updated 17 April 2020)  

Useful contacts/websites/help for self-employed

Safe Return to Work (TUC):

Further TUC information and resources

Community: Returning to work after furlough

Voice Community Cymru:

 

Voice Community statements and comments:

27 July 2021: Education Policy Podcast 5: July 2021

6 July 2021:  Voice Community comments on lifting of COVID restrictions

29 June 2021: Voice Community: Bursting bubbles and mobile myths (updated 1 July)

7 June 2021: Voice Community: Education: long-term recovery not short-term catch-up

Voice Community Media briefing: school terms and holidays (15 May 2021)

2 June 2021: England: Voice Community: Government’s education recovery announcement ‘frustrating and lacking ambition’

Updates 28 May 2021:  England:  Voice Community: Health and safety and variants of concern

14 May 2021: England: Voice Community comments on education recovery report

 7 May 2021: England: Voice Community: Face coverings should remain in school

For safety's sake: early years staff must be vaccinated as soon as possible (Early Years Educator (EYE) magazine, April 2021)

Archive of Voice statements and comments and resources on COVID-19

Government Coronavirus/COVID-19 guidance:

Scroll down for each UK country, or click here: England, Scotland,  Wales, Northern Ireland, UK Government/Treasury

Archive of informattion from JCQ, SAGE,  UK Chief Medical Officers, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Department of Health and Social Care

NCSC

England

Ofqual, Ofsted etc  DfE

Department for Education (DfE)

Helpline: Phone: 0800 046 8687  (Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday,  10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday)
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Teaching Blog: "For teachers by teachers"

Every Mind Matters: Looking after a child or young person's mental health 

School and trust governance during coronavirus (COVID-19)  Updated: 
Research on how governors and trustees responded to the pandemic, whether the work of governing boards was affected and challenges faced.

School attendance: guidance for schools Updated: 
Covers registers and attendance codes (including circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19)), school hours and term dates, and improving school attendance.

Responsibility for exams Updated: 
Guidance for schools, colleges and exam centres on who should enter students for exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.

19 July 2021:

The DfE have produced guidance, some frequently asked questions and answers, and a template letter for settings to send to parents, pupils and students on changes to contact tracing of close contacts. These can all be found on the document sharing platforms for primary and early years, secondary schools, further education and higher education and children's social care. 

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): school and college performance measures Updated: 
Our approach to school and college accountability, performance tables and data during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak  Updated: 
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak  Updated: 
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic Updated: 
Main changes to previous guidance On 19 July 2021, we updated this…

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19  Updated: 
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in 2021.

Transport to schools and colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic Updated: 
What those responsible for transport to schools and colleges will need to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Health and safety: advice for schools Updated: 
Guidance to help schools understand their health and safety obligations.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The DfE's new guidance to school leaders, including contract tracing FAQs, 15 July 2021 

Use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care Updated: 
When to use PPE, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), in education, childcare and children’s social care settings for COVID-19.

Schools COVID-19 operational guidance, 14 July 2021 (pdf)

Better mental health and wellbeing support for young people  Updated: 
Experts agree long term commitment to prioritising mental health and wellbeing support in education within recovery plans

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19 Updated: 
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in 2021.

Transport to schools and colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic Updated: 
What those responsible for transport to schools and colleges will need to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 
Find out what you'll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision.

Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Get help with technology during coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Find out about the help made available to educational settings and local authorities to support remote and face-to-face education, and access to social care.

£10 million scheme to help pupils boost core skills Updated: 
Programmes targeted at pupils starting primary and secondary school, who will take part in focused English and maths catch-up sessions

Transport to schools and colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic Updated: 
What those responsible for transport to schools and colleges will need to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.

Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)  Updated: 
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children's social care services  Updated: 
Advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for local authorities and their partners to help support and protect vulnerable children.

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19 Updated: 
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in 2021.

Transport to school and other places of education: 2020 to 2021 academic year Updated: 
What local authorities will need to do during the COVID-19 outbreak for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Responsibility for exams  Updated: 
Guidance for schools, colleges and exam centres on who should enter students for exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.

Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Updated: 
Find out how apprenticeships will continue during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Evidence summary: COVID-19 - children, young people and education settings Updated: 
DfE paper summarising evidence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around children, young people and education settings, from Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap.

Ministerial statement (House of Commons) 6 July 2021

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak  Updated: 
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): assessment processes for selective school admissions  Updated: 
Guidance on entry testing for admission to state-funded selective schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers.

Higher education COVID-19 operational guidance (applies until Step 4) Updated: 
This guidance applies until Step 4 of the government’s roadmap, when the…

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 
Find out what you'll need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to maintain provision.

Covid restrictions in education settings to end at Step 4  Updated: 
Further Covid restrictions in schools, such as class and year group bubbles, will be lifted but protective measures will remain in place next term.

Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)  Updated: 
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care Updated: 
When to use PPE, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), in education, childcare and children’s social care settings for COVID-19.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak  Updated: : Added operational guidance for schools which applies at Step 4. This guidance removes restrictions such as keeping children in consistent groups (bubbles) and wearing face coverings in classrooms and communal areas and on dedicated school transport. It also includes information about updating your outbreak management plan and what to do when an individual in your school tests positive for COVID-19. From 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact.

Department of Health and Social Care:  Updated: 

Click here for Archive of earlier DfE updates

Ofqual

Ofqual confirms autumn assessment arrangements 4 May 2021
Ofqual has published its decisions following a consultation on GCSE, AS and A level exams in the autumn. Separately, Ofqual also published its decisions document on Consultation on autumn assessment opportunities for Vocational and Technical and Other General Qualifications. Ofqual has confirmed the details of the framework...

Ofqual confirms detail on submitting grades and evidence for this year’s GCSE, AS and A level grades  Updated: 
Ofqual updates ‘Submitting data and evidence’ section of heads of centre guidance.

Awarding organisation coronavirus (COVID-19) information pages Updated: 
A list of links to coronavirus (COVID-19) information provided by Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations.

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework Updated: 
Part of a suite of documents setting out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in 2021 Updated: 
Publications relating to the awarding of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in the academic year 2020 to 2021.

Regulatory arrangements for the awarding of vocational and technical and other general qualifications in 2020-2021 Updated: 
Consultation on the detail of the VTQ Contingency Regulatory Framework.

Extraordinary regulatory framework: VTQ, Covid-19 Conditions and Requirements Updated: 
These documents set out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

Submission of teacher assessed grades, summer 2021: info for teachers Updated: 
Information for heads of centre, heads of department and teachers on the submission of teacher assessed grades: summer 2021.

Vocational, technical and other general qualifications in 2021 Updated: 
Publications relating to the awarding of vocational, technical and other general qualifications in the academic year 2020 to 2021.

Understand our rules Updated: 
Find out about Ofqual's rules for the qualifications and assessments we regulate

Information for centres about making objective judgements  Updated: 
Guidance for centres on making judgements that will support awarding in 2021

Consultation on autumn assessment opportunities for VTQ and other general qualifications Updated: 
The vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework: Consultation on proposed Condition VCR8 Assessment opportunity in 2021.

General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework Updated: 
Regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering specific general qualifications in 2021 in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Consultation on the general qualifications alternative awarding framework Updated: 
Technical consultation on Conditions and Requirements for GCSE, GCE, AEA and Project qualifications in summer 2021.

Awarding organisation coronavirus (COVID-19) information pages Updated: 
A list of links to coronavirus (COVID-19) information provided by Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations.

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework Updated: 
Part of a suite of documents setting out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Frameworks for awarding qualifications in 2021: consultation outcomes Updated: 
Ofqual publishes regulatory frameworks and guidance for awarding general, vocational and technical qualifications this academic year.

Draft guidance for heads of centre, heads of department and teachers  1 March 2021
Consultation on guidance on how to generate the evidence used to determine grades this summer.

Click here for Archive of earlier Ofqual updates

Ofsted

Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update  Detailed guide  (updated 3 June 2021)

Education inspections in the summer term: Ofsted will not return to a full programme of graded inspections until September.  Updated: 

Area SEND inspections to restart Updated: 
Revisits to areas with a written statement of action will start from April 2021. Full inspection will resume from June 2021.

Ofsted inspections to be done remotely Updated: 
All planned inspection activity will be carried out remotely until 8 March at the earliest.

Ofsted publishes short guide to what works well in remote education: 11 January 2021:
Ofsted has published some advice to help school and college leaders and teachers develop their remote education offer.

Ofsted: phased return to inspections Press release, 3 December 2020

Education plans from September 2020 Detailed guide, 3 December 2020

Ofsted announces new early years inspection arrangements 12 November 2020 Press release

Tell Ofsted if you have a COVID-19 incident at your childcare business 11 November 2020 Detailed guide

Ofsted's second report on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic  10 November 2020  Press release

Ofsted suspends all routine inspections  (17 March 2020)

Routine Ofsted inspections suspended in response to coronavirus (17 March 2020)

DfE

Helpline: Phone: 0800 046 8687  (Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday))
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Local Government Association

Information for councils

Scotland

Scottish Government, SNCT, SQA, GTCS below

COSLA

Joint messaging for schools’ return 12 April onwards: A Safer Return - Leading by example (pdf)

FACTS message (Scottish Government)

25 August

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance on preparing for the start of the new school term in August 2020 - Version 2 (25 August)

12 August 2020

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plan to carry out sample spot checks on schools from 13 August onward (12 August 2020)

10 August 2020

A note from the Chief Medical Officer on the latest scientific evidence on COVID-19 and reopening Scotland’s schools (pdf) (10 August 2020)

26 June 2020

Guidance for education and childcare settings on implementing physical distancing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (pdf) (14 May 2020)

Scottish Government / COSLA: Supporting coronavirus key workers (24 March 2020)

Workforce Issues Advisory Group

Voice Scotland has accepted an invitation from COSLA to participate in a ‘Workforce Issues Advisory Group’, involving HR advisers and the trade unions, which provides a platform to discuss and agree appropriate and consistent approaches across councils on workforce issues arising as a consequence of the spread of coronavirus Covid-19. The work of the group will be advisory and it will be for each council to make decisions based on local circumstances and national advice as matters develop. (16 March 2020)

GTCS

Student Teacher Professional Placements: February 2021 update

 
FAQs (19 March 2020)
 
 
Update for probationer teachers on our position regarding Covid-19.   (16 March 2020)
 
Joint statement from GTCS and the Scottish Council of Deans of Education on contingency plans in response to Covid-19. (16 March 2020)
 

Scottish Parliament

Scottish Government

18+ adults in Scotland: Further information on Registering for a coronavirus vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): early learning and childcare (ELC) services
Non-statutory guidance to support the continued safe operation of ELC settings (updated 21 July 2021)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for school age childcare services 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): childminder services guidance

Early learning and childcare – national induction resource: latest version - June 2021 (16 July 2021)

Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare COVID-19 Update No. 15 – June 2021 (pdf)

Supporting young people’s mental health  22 June 2021
Additional learning for school staff.  View the resource.

New guidance for ELC settings (pdf), school-aged childcare settings (pdf) and childminding businesses (pdf) that can be implemented from 5 July 2021 (21 June 2021)

Mitigations in schools – approach to post-summer planning: Advice note, 14 June 2021 (pdf)

Support for students impacted by COVID-19:  £20 million of additional funding, 13 June 2021



Expanding the national vaccination programme, 11 June 2021
Roll-out to include international students.

Get into Summer: Supporting children and young people’s wellbeing, 10 June 2021

The Education Recovery Group has agreed to prioritise staff working in education for prompt vaccination. They have invited all education staff aged 18-29 years to register for their vaccination by 11 June.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools Updated 25 May 2021

    Click here for Archive of earlier Scottish Government updates

    Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT)

    SNCT Teachers' Panel letter: COVID-19 Absence of effective mitigations in schools, February 2021 (pdf)
    Letter from members of the Teachers’ Panel (which includes Voice Community Scotland) highlighting our concerns and discontent regarding the failures in implementation of mitigation measures that should already be in place in schools.

    Latest circulars (February 2021):

    Remote Schools Allowance SNCT-21-77 (pdf)

    Distant Isles Allowance SNCT-21-78 (pdf)

    JS/20/81 CORONAVIRUS - COVID–19 Quarantine Arrangements – Letter of Advice (pdf)  (11 September 2020)
    Following from the provisions set out in SNCT 20/76, paragraph 4, the Joint Secretaries’ advice regarding school holidays is as follows (pdf)

    Glasgow LNCT  Joint Secretaries Advice note – 10 September 2020 (pdf)

    SNCT 20/76: Arrangements for Re-opening Schools August 2020, CORONAVIRUS (COVID – 19) (pdf) (4 June 2020)
    The Strategic Framework for the Reopening of Schools and ELC Provision confirms that the start date of the new term is standardised to 11 August 2020 on an exceptional basis for the purposes of managing COVID-19. This requires LNCTs to take decisions regarding the following issues....

    SNCT Supply Teachers Job Retention Payment Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs (pdf) (28 May 2020)

    Joint letter to John Swinney
    Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills from the Teachers’ Side of the SNCT, including Voice Scotland, urging the Scottish Government to continue to exercise the greatest caution regarding the reopening of schools. (15 May 2020)

    SNCT Advice on Working Time Agreements Session 2020-21 CORONAVIRUS - COVID–19 (pdf) (12 May 2020)

    SNCT Teachers' Side letter to COSLA (6 May 2020)

    SNCT JS/20/78 Supply Teachers Job Retention Scheme (pdf) (3 April 2020)
    The SNCT has now given details regarding how the issue of payment for supply teachers not in a contract as at 20 March 2020 should be administered in all councils

    SNCT 20/75 SNCT School Closures Coronavirus (COVID-19)  (pdf) (26 March 2020)

    SNCT 20-74 Coronavirus COVID-19  (pdf) (13 March 2020)

    SNCT update on COVID-19 and self-isolation  (3 March 2020)

    SNCT Emergency Provision: Maintaining Continuity of Education (16 March 2020)

    Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

    Latest updates

    2021 Appeals Service announced - SQA 2 June 2021

    The National Qualifications Group has confirmed the Alternative Certification Model that will be used to award this year's National 5, and Advanced Higher courses (17 March 2021)

    Revised model for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in 2021 16 February 2021

    SQA Update from the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications 2021 Group  21 January 2021

    Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group - National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher 12 January 2021

    Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: Support and guidance for Higher and Advanced Higher in session 2020–21 16 December 2020

    Delivering National 5 results in 2020-21 8 December 2020

    Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group (11 November 2020)

    2021 Higher and Advanced Higher Exam Timetable (5 November 2020)

    SQA National Courses – Delivering Results in 2020  (20 April 2020)

    Joint statement from SQA and Colleges Scotland - Update to colleges (3 April 2020)

    SQA update on arrangements for quality assurance and the certification of National Courses and Awards – a message to schools and colleges (2 April 2020)

    Joint statement from SQA and Colleges Scotland on Higher National certification (26 March 2020)

    SQA statement on coursework for National Courses (24 March 2020)

    Exams update (19 March 2020)

    Scottish Government and SQA joint statement on the Coronavirus, and impact on August 2020 certification (18 March 2020)

    SQA Statement on the Coronavirus, and impact on the National Qualifications 2020 Examinations Timetable (13 March 2020)

    Universities Scotland

    Scotland’s universities stay open and introduce measures to minimise impact of COVID-19 on students and staff (13 March 2020)

    Wales

    Estyn, Qualifications Wales, and other bodies

    Coronavirus and Me survey results (Results of survey of children in Wales) (8 June 2020)

    WLGA

    Dull gweithredu cyffredin ar gyfer ailagor ysgolion ym mis Ionawr

    School return approach for January 2021    Thursday, 17 December 2020
    Following extensive discussions a common approach has been agreed by the Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association for the return to school in January.

    Cytuno ar ddull Cymru gyfan i gadw ysgolion ar agor cyn y Nadolig

    All-Wales approach agreed to keep schools open in run-up to Christmas  Friday, 04 December 2020
    A common approach has been agreed by the Welsh Government and the WLGA for school arrangements at the end of the Christmas term, following extensive discussions to aim to ensure a consistent as possible level of provision across Wales in ongoing challenging circumstances.

    Welsh Government

    Safeguarding poster (pdf)

    Changes to keep schools safe and learners learning:  Press release 
    Education Minister Jeremy Miles has today written to all headteachers and principals in Wales to provide more clarity on how schools and colleges can continue to operate safely when they return in September:

    Oral Statement: Curriculum Reform—Next Steps (6 July 2021) 

    More support to press on with curriculum reform 

    Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  Detailed guide

    Plans to introduce contact groups in universities and colleges   Press release

    Written Statement: Autumn term planning for Higher Education and adult learners in Further Education Colleges, work based and community learning (30 June 2021)

    Coronavirus: travel guidance for education settings and students   Guidance

    Minister for Education press conference – 28 June 2021: statement on improvements and mitigations (pdf)

    The Relaxation of School Reporting Requirements (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 28 June 2021 Legislation

    Modification of School Organisation Code (Wales) Notice 2021  Legislation

    Modification of Curriculum Requirements in Wales Notice 2021  Legislation

    Modification of section 3 of the Education Act 1996 (Wales) Notice 2021  Legislation

    Notices disapplying changing school session time requirements   Legislation

    Initial Teacher Education COVID-19 response: supporting AY20/21 ITE School Experience to achieve QTS Grant Scheme: privacy notice  Guidance

    Initial Teacher Education COVID-19 response: supporting AY20/21 ITE School Experience to achieve QTS Grant Scheme: guidance for students  Guidance

    Initial Teacher Education COVID-19 response: supporting AY20/21 ITE School Experience to achieve QTS Grant Scheme: guidance for providers   Guidance

    Oral Statement: Qualifications in 2021 (22 June 2021)

    School performance reporting arrangements: important update  Guidance

    New actions to ‘create space’ for schools announced  Press release

    Written Statement: School information, improvement and inspection arrangements – supporting renewal and reform (21 June 2021)  Cabinet statement

    Examination and assessment guidance: 2020 to 2021  Detailed guide

    Written Statement: Review of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restriction) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (18 June 2021)

    Help for learners to take their next steps as Wales moves forward   Press release

    Renew and reform: supporting learners' wellbeing and progression  Guidance

    Written Statement: Renew and reform: supporting learners’ well-being and progression (16 June 2021) Cabinet statement

    Major funding boost to support personalised learner support  10 June 2021
    The Welsh Government will provide £33 million to support learners in colleges and sixth forms across Wales, as part of the £150 million it has committed to the education response to COVID-19.

    Operational Guidance, 2 June 2021: 'catch-up'

    Extra funding for learning and early years passes £150m during Covid  Press release

    Revised Operational guidance for schools and settings: How schools and other providers can make their sites safe for staff and learners. 10 May 2021 plus Schools FAQs

    Youth work services guidance: coronavirus  Guidance

    Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  Detailed guide

    Coronavirus: travel guidance for education settings and students  Guidance

    Changes to school session times: coronavirus   Guidance

    Click here for Archive of earlier Welsh Government updates

    National Assembly for Wales

    Scrutiny of Covid-19 and its impact on children and young people (including students in further and higher education) (28 April 2020)

    Estyn

    Supporting continuity of learning for children and young people (29 July 2020)

    Community schools families and communities at the heart of school life  (7 July 2020)
    New report to help schools build community partnerships to support the learning and wellbeing of pupils and their families during this difficult time.

    Supporting continuity of learning for children and young people (23 April 2020)

    Estyn inspections and other visits suspended to support providers to stay open and reduce pressure – COVID-19  (16 March 2020)

    Qualifications Wales

    Centre-determined grades

    9 February 2021:

    Assessment Guidance for 2021

    Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificates - Awarding in Summer 2021

    Alternative arrangements for Essential Skills Wales qualifications in 2021

    WJEC timeline (pdf)

    Statement on exams from Qualifications Wales 20 January 2021

    Qualifications Wales cancels the spring internal assessment window - due between 22 February and 23 April - for GCSE, AS and A levels 8 January 2021 

    Confirmation that January 2021 vocational exams will continue as planned 7 January 2021 

    Cadarnhad y bydd arholiadau galwedigaethol Ionawr 2021 yn parhau yn ôl y bwriad 7 Ion 2021

    Cymwysterau Cymru yn cadarnhau’r dull asesu ar gyfer haf 2021  16 Rhagfyr 2020

    Qualifications Wales confirms assessment approach for summer 2021 16 December 2020

    Qualifications Wales confirms January GCSE unit exams will be cancelled, 24 November 2020

    QW recommends way forward for awarding qualifications in summer 2021 29 October 2020
    Qualifications Wales is recommending that external assessments be retained for GCSEs, AS and A levels next summer, but that there should be no timetabled exams except for A levels

    Qualifications 2021 (October 2020)

    Qualifications Wales Consultation into arrangements for the summer 2020 exam series: decisions (30 June 2020)
    Voice's consultation response

    Qualified for the future consultation outcome (pdf) (4 June 2020)

    Health and social care and childcare qualifications in Wales (added 30 April 2020)

    Consultation: arrangements for summer 2020 exam series (28 April 2020):

    Essential Skills Wales learners to receive calculated result  (20 April 2020)

    Qualifications Wales issues guidance to teachers (3 April 2020):

    Latest updates and guidance

    FAQs 

    Letter: update on exams (pdf) (27 March 2020)

    Updates on exams

    Work-based learning and apprenticeships: coronavirus (26 March 2020)

    Testing Times (23 March 2020)

    Issuing grades for qualifications summer 2020 and other updates (20 March 2020)

    Letter from Qualifications Wales (pdf) (20 March)

    • Grades for GCSE and A level qualifications in 2020 will be calculated using a range of evidence. They will be based on a combination of factors which may include marks for work completed to date, for example AS results for A level grades, and standardised teacher assessed grades.
    • Teacher assessed grades will be based on what teachers would expect a learner to achieve at the end of the course.  This will be a professional, holistic judgement based on the combined assessment information held for that learner.  They will not be target grades or related to performance measures (which are suspended for this year in any event).
    • Grades for AS Levels or for unit assessments taken by Year 10 learners will not be issued.  For those learners, the options are still being considered, including the opportunity to sit exams in subsequent exam series.
    • The options for issuing grades for vocational courses are also still being considered.

    Update (19 March 2020)

    Guidance for schools and colleges

    Universities Wales

    Universities Wales statement on return to in person teaching (1 February 2021)

    WJEC

    FAQs

    WJEC exam materials 

    Statement on exams 20 January 2021

    Qualifications Wales confirms January GCSE unit exams will be cancelled, 24 November 2020

    WJEC: Summer 2021 adaptations (September 2020)

    Coronavirus FAQs - Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) (9 April 2020)

    Arrangement for awarding summer 2020 (4 April 2020)

    Update on exams (27 March 2020)

    Issuing graders for summer 2020 (20 March 2020)

    Cancellation of summer examination 2020 - Wales (18 March 2020)

    Northern Ireland

    Department of Education (Northern Ireland)

    Latest Department of Education updates in relation to COVID-19 (coronavirus) (updated daily)

    McIlveen welcomes monitoring round allocations  24 June 2021
    Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding proposed by the Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen ... A further £3.3 million to support education with a number of COVID-19 pressures was also confirmed by the Finance Minister Conor Murphy today as part of the monitoring allocations.

    Weir welcomes over £51m Covid-19 funding and full resumption of Sure Start services  20 May 2021
    Education Minister has welcomed the Executive’s agreement to allocate over £51m to deal with Covid-19 pressures. Today’s decision by the Executive will provide £32.7m to cover a range of areas including support for Special Educational Needs services, support for outdoor education centres and a Wellbeing & Pastoral Support Recovery Programme. 

    Following clarification and engagement with Welsh officials, assurances have now been received that will enable schools/centres in Northern Ireland to continue to access WJEC AS/A level qualifications after September 2022. (pdf)

    Weir outlines plans for exams and assessments in 2021/22  17 May 2021

    Factsheet - CCEA Qualifications

    Weir welcomes resumption of wider schools activities 13 May 2021

    Weir announces £5m for summer youth activity scheme 10 May 2021

    Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 31) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 Published 16 April 2021 
    The Department of Education has exercised the power provided under section 38(3)(c) and paragraph 17(1), (2)(a)(ii), (4)(a) and (7) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020 to issue a Notice to temporarily modify Article 58 (1)(a) and (5)(a) of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986.  Notice No. 31 will last for a period of 28 days from 13 April 2021, unless the Department issues a cancellation notice before the end of that period. Details: Pupils in all schools return to school after the Easter holidays.  It follows a review during the Executive’s meeting on 1 April 2021 when it was agreed that the remaining students in years 8 to 11 could resume face-to-face teaching from 12 April 2021. Special, primary and nursery schools will continue to remain open as normal.

    Wraparound care, extra-curricular sports and singing/playing instruments in school Published 14 April 2021 Correspondence
    The Education Minister has written to school principals today 14 April, to provide an update on wraparound care, extra-curricular sports and singing/playing instruments in school.

    Letter from the Minister to schools - 1 April 2021
    The Education Minister has confirmed the return to school for all pupils from 12 April and further coronavirus guidance for educational settings.

    Weir welcomes reopening of Sure Start and youth services 25 March 2021
    Peter Weir has welcomed the phased return of Sure Start and youth services

    Education Authority and Public Health Agency announce Covid-19 rapid testing roll out to all special schools in Northern Ireland.

    FAQs Asymptomatic Testing in Schools

    All primary school pupils to return next week  16 March 2021
    Pupils in P4 to P7 will return to face to face teaching on 22 March 

    Ministers announce programme of regular Covid-19 testing in schools   15 March 2021
    Health Minister Robin Swann and Education Minister Peter Weir have announced a programme of regular testing for Covid-19.

    Click here for Archive of DENI, CCEA and Education Authority updates and news

    UK

    UK Government

    Latest updates on furlough and other support schemes

    Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October  (12 May 2020)

    Chancellor announces help for self-employed (26 March 2020)

    The Chancellor's updated statement on coronavirus. (20 March 2020)
    The Chancellor unveiled today (20 March) a further series of measures to support people, jobs and businesses.

    COVID-19: guidance for employees (20 March 2020)

    COVID-19: Government announces moving out of contain phase and into delay 

    Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response

    Coronavirus action plan  (3 March 2020)

    National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC):
     
    How to make sure your organisation is prepared for an increase in home working, and advice on spotting coronavirus (COVID-19) scam emails.

     

    Useful contacts

    Acas

    Guidance for employers and employees from Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, an independent body funded by the Government, is available here: www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

    Government

    HMRC Guidance for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

    BEIS guidance for employees: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees#furloughed-workers

    Guidance: Check if you could be covered by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

    Covid-19: support for businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

    Covid-19: guidance for employees: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees

    Self-employment support

    Scheme link: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/self-employment-income-support-scheme/
    FAQs link: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/self-employment-income-support-scheme-faqs/

    Health

    NHS: Health-related guidance from the National Health Service is available here:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

    For online NHS self-isolation sick notes: NHS 111 online

    ​Public Health Guidance

    Public Health England including, eg, specific guidance for employers, educational and health-related organisations, and an option to receive updates directly is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

    Public Health Wales: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

    Health Protection Scotland: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/wuhan-novel-coronavirus/

    Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus

     

    Page first published: 3 March 2020

     

     
     

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