England Northern Ireland Scotland Voice Wales
Early Years & Childcare Further & Higher Education Heads & Leaders Retired Students Support Staff Teachers & Tutors
07 May 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.

Update 7 May 2021: England:

Voice Community: Face coverings should remain in school

Latest DfE updated guidance and information 

Updates 6 May 2021:

Welsh Government: Youth work services guidance: coronavirus Guidance

Updates: 4/5 May 2021:

Voice Community resources update (TUC video and Voice Community Cymru)

Northern Ireland: DENI's response to General Secretary's vaccine letter 

Welsh Government: 

Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  Detailed guide

Coronavirus: travel guidance for education settings and students  Guidance

Changes to school session times: coronavirus  Guidance

England:

DfE Blog: Everything you need to know about the return to university 

Ofqual confirms autumn assessment arrangements:  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...

Scotland:

Updates 28 April 2021:  Scottish Government (childcare):

Student placement toolkit

Updates 1 April 2021:  Voice Community: Updated 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:

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

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in schools and colleges: grant funding Updated: 
Conditions of grant funding for the national roll-out of rapid mass testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and colleges.

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.

Blog: Everything you need to know about the return to university 4 May 2021

Providing school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
Guidance for schools and local authorities on school meals arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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.

Asymptomatic testing: early years staff in different settings Updated: 
How staff in early years settings can access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing: Rapid asymptomatic testing in early years settings guidance updated to reflect that asymptomatic testing is now available to everyone in England. We have also clarified where staff, parents or carers may be eligible for Test and Trace support payments.

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.

Holiday activities and food programme  Updated: 
Information for local authorities who will receive funding to support disadvantaged children during the 2021 Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.

Catch-up premium: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Find out which schools are eligible, what the funding is for, when payments will be made and how funding can be used to help pupils catch up on missed education.


Flagship summer schools programme opens today to help students recover lost learning Updated: 
Summer schools will be targeted at children who suffered the most disruption during the last year

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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): test kits for schools and FE providers Updated: 
Guidance for schools and further education (FE) providers on the initial supply of coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff.

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 the spring term 2021.

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

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

Funding: ITT coronavirus (COVID-19) course extensions Updated: 

Guidance about funding extensions to initial teacher training (ITT) courses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Providing school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 

Guidance for schools and local authorities on school meals arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Information on students returning to or starting higher education during spring and summer 2021 terms and HE operational guidance.

Remaining university students to return to campus from Step 3 of the roadmap, no earlier than 17 May Updated: 
Government confirms all university students yet to return to in-person teaching will be able to do so from Step 3 of the roadmap

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): reducing burdens on educational and care settings Updated: 
List of data collections, services or requests which will be cancelled, paused or will continue.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in schools and colleges: grant funding Updated: 
Conditions of grant funding for the national roll-out of rapid mass testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and colleges.

Face coverings in schools and colleges to remain in place  Updated: 
The government has confirmed that face coverings should continue to be worn in secondary school and college classrooms as a precautionary measure when students return after the Easter break.

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.

Catch-up premium: coronavirus (COVID-19)  Updated: 
Find out which schools are eligible, what the funding is for, when payments will be made and how funding can be used to help pupils catch up on missed education.

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

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 26 April 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

Student placement toolkit

Updated COVID-19 guidance on reducing the risks in schools, 19 April 2021

Return to full-time school 06 April 2021
Majority of pupils back after Easter break.

Going back to work, school, college and university from 26 April 2021: Advice for people on the shielding list (23 March 2021) (pdf)

Going back to work, school, college and university from 26 April 2021: Advice for people on the shielding list (under 16) (23 March 2021) (pdf)

Support for providers of school age childcare 19 March 2021
Pilot childcare projects also announced.

    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

    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)

    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

    Examination and assessment guidance: 2020 to 2021  Detailed guide

    Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  Detailed guide

    Further education: coronavirus  Detailed guide

    Vocational qualifications: summer 2021   Detailed guide

    Assessment arrangements: summer term 2021  Guidance

    Moving Wales into Alert Level 3: First Minister sets out plans to further relax COVID restrictions 

    Vulnerable children and young people: coronavirus   Detailed guide

    Changes to the School Organisation Code: coronavirus   Guidance

    Registering temporary pupils: coronavirus  Guidance

    Changes to school session times: coronavirus  Guidance

    Updated operational guidance for schools and settings  (29 March 2021)

    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)

    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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