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19 Jan 22

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: January 2022:

Northern Ireland (DENI):

Letter from the Minister to parents providing an update on COVID-19 issues 13 January 2022

Letter from the Minister to Educational Settings providing an update on COVID-19 issues 13 January 2022

England:

DfE: Latest updated guidance and information 18 January 2022

Isolation rules have changed – what does this mean for families and schools? (14 January 2022)

Voice Community: Statement on DfE's temporary relaxation of early years ratios (13 January 2021)

Voice Community: Latest COVID-19 FAQ and updates for members  

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:

January 2022:

Voice Community: Statement on education COVID measures in Northern Ireland

Voice Community: Statement on new education COVID measures in England

December 2021:

England: Concerns raised over recruiting ex teachers plan

Wales:  Voice Community Cymru welcomes additional support for learners

England 

Concern over Omicron variant in education and early years: Statement following the Prime Minister's announcement (12 December 2021).

Urgent DfE update for early years, schools, FHE providers (9 December 2021)

October 2021: Voice Community Cymru:  

Education unions webinar report (updated)

Update on close contacts guidance in Wales

Local Government Hardship Fund - update

England (Wales and Northern Ireland):  Adaptations to GCSE, AS and A level exams in England for summer 2022, arrangements for vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) and joint exam system contingency plan: England, Wales and Northern Ireland

29 September 2021: Voice Community Education Policy Podcast 7: September 2021

28 September 2021: Statement on vaccination of children

14 September 2021: Comment on the proposed vaccination of 12-16 year olds

31 August 2021: 

Education Policy Podcast 6 (England): August 2021

Wales: return to settings, September 2021

27 July 2021: Education Policy Podcast 5: July 2021

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

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

Cabinet Office

COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021  Guidance

DHSC

JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people: 22 December 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Updated UK Health Security Agency guidance (16 December 2021): Household contacts:
"Regular LFD tests are not recommended for children aged under 5. If they live with someone who has COVID-19 they are not legally required to self-isolate but you should limit their contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19 and arrange for them to take a PCR test as soon as possible." 

13/14 September 2021  

Prime Minister to set out autumn and winter plan for COVID

Young people aged 12 to 15 to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine 

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 

Events: Senior mental health lead training for schools and colleges (DfE)

Senior mental health lead training  Updated: 
Find out how to apply for a grant and access DfE quality assured training to help develop a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.

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.

Isolation rules have changed – what does this mean for families and schools? (14 January 2022)

Everything you need to know about face coverings in schools and colleges – who must wear them, why they’re important and when will they stop having to wear them (7 January 2022)

DfE: Air cleaning units for education and childcare settings

Coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce fund for schools Updated: 
Funding to support schools facing significant staff absences and financial pressures with the costs of staff cover for the period from 22 November 2021 to 18 February 2022.

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

Senior mental health lead training  Updated: 
Find out how to apply for a grant and access DfE quality assured training to help develop a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Get help with technology for remote education Updated: 
Find out about the support available for educational settings and local authorities for remote and face-to-face education, and access to social care.

Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings Updated: 
What measures education and childcare settings should be prepared to introduce to manage coronavirus (COVID-19).

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.

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.

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. Guidance updated in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests, clarification that children can return to the setting on day 7 if they've had 2 negative LFD tests and guidance on testing under 5s for household contacts.

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.

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.

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.

Senior mental health lead training Updated: 
Find out how to apply for a grant and access DfE quality assured training to help develop a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.

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

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.

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

Evidence summary: COVID-19 - children, young people and education settings Updated: 
DfE papers summarising evidence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around children, young people and education settings.

Testing measures to ensure young people return to classrooms Updated: 
On-site Covid lateral flow tests for secondary pupils on return to school, with students and staff encouraged to test twice a week

What to expect when schools, colleges, universities and early years settings return after the Christmas break

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.

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.

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.

More support to keep pupils in the classroom  Updated: 
Face-to-face education prioritised as it is important for pupils’ education and wellbeing

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

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

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.

Critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings  Updated: 
List of critical workers (key workers) and vulnerable children and young people who can access full-time education provision in the case of future restrictions on education 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.

Urgent DfE update for early years, schools, FHE providers (9 December 2021)

    Click here for Archive of earlier DfE updates

    Ofqual

    Ofqual: rolling update Updated: 
    Information on qualifications which have been disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Click here for Archive of earlier Ofqual updates

    Ofsted

    Ofsted to review two education catch-up reforms  Updated: 
    Ofsted has been asked by the government to carry out an independent review of two key catch-up reforms: tutoring and teachers’ professional development.

    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

    COVID-Good-Practice-Guide.pdf (cosla.gov.uk) (December 2021)

    COVID Reminder: Keeping yourself and others safe! (pdf) (Scottish Government, COSLA, Public Health Scotland and stakeholders) (December 2021)

    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)

    Scottish Government: updated COVID measures (11 January 2022)
    Local authorities will receive up to £5 million of additional support to ensure ventilation in schools and early years settings meets the latest COVID-19 safety guidance. The funding is to improve air flow, such as adjustments to windows and doors, use of fan systems and use of air cleaning devices in line with existing safety guidance. This is in addition to Scottish Government funding of £10 million provided local authorities for ventilation and CO2 monitoring last year.

    Coronavirus (COVID-19): early learning and childcare services – updated guidance (10 January 2022)

    Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools: updated 7 January 2021

    Returning to school safely: Asymptomatic testing to reduce COVID-19 risks. January 2022

    Keeping schools safe: Updated COVID-19 guidance 17 December 2021 
    Guidance to reduce the risks of COVID-19 in schools has been updated in light of the Omicron variant.



    COVID Reminder: Keeping yourself and others safe! (pdf) (Scottish Government, COSLA, Public Health Scotland and stakeholders) (December 2021)

    Scottish Government / COSLA: Education update regarding the new Omicron variant - contact tracing /self-isolation (pdf) (14 December 2021)

    Updated plans for school inspections  Education Scotland (3 December 2021)

    Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare COVID-19 Update No. 20 – November 2021 (pdf)

    Coronavirus - guidance on reducing the risks from COVID-19 in schools - 22 November 2021 (pdf) or download from here

    COVID-19 eLearning Module for staff in registered childcare settings (November 2021)
    Understand COVID-19 and how it spreads, what actions you should take to keep yourself & others safe, and info on testing, self-isolation & vaccination.

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

    COVID-19 safety in schools:  Mitigations to be extended
    News, 19 October 2021

      Click here for Archive of earlier Scottish Government updates

      Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT)

      SNCT/21/84: COVID-19 and Long COVID - Temporary Additions to SNCT Handbook (pdf) (30 September 2021)

      SNCT 21/83 Sabbaticals (pdf) (30 September 2021)

      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

      SQA reminds schools, colleges, and training providers of its contingencies for examinations in 2022  (December 2021)

      National 5, Higher & Advanced Highers updates: www.sqa.org.uk/nq2022

      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)

      Senedd

      Coronavirus timeline: the response in Wales (senedd.wales)

      Welsh Government

      Written Cabinet Statement: Return to schools and colleges (5 January 2022)

      Over £100m of new funding will help make schools and colleges COVID-secure   Press release

      Welsh Government / JCVI: Written Statement: COVID-19 vaccination – Children and young people (22 December 2021)

      Strengthened measures to keep Wales safe as omicron strikes:  

      Notices disapplying changing school session time requirements   Legislation

      Written Statement: School and colleges operational arrangements from January 2022 (16 December 2021)


      Written Statement: Additional Package of Support for Learners (16 December 2021)

      Welsh Government Written statement: Omicron variant of concern - school operations (29 November 2021):
      “All staff and learners in our secondary schools, colleges and universities should now wear face coverings while indoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Many settings are already operating on this basis, guided by their local risk assessment, but this will now become a national approach. This is a temporary, precautionary measure that will be in place for the remaining weeks of term at which point the position will be reviewed. This should come into effect in all settings as soon as possible. Alongside this national approach to face coverings, all education settings will continue to operate with the Local Infection Control Decision Framework and the toolkit which allows them to take measures that best suit their local circumstances.”

      Updated 30 November 2021: School operations: coronavirus

      Written statement: COVID-19 Vaccination – JCVI further advice on boosters (29 November 2021)

      Video message from the Minister – 4 November 2021 - YouTube

      Local COVID-19 escalation and de-escalation toolkit for schools 4 November, 2021
      Schools will already have systems in place to regularly review their risk assessments and the interventions in place to address those risks. This toolkit aims to help schools to decide when to consider introducing different interventions. It supports schools to take early action to address changing circumstances, and suggests how current interventions should be reviewed, refined and amended to continue reflecting the latest situation with regards to COVID-19

        lick here for Archive of earlier Welsh Government updates

        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.

        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

        Open letter to all educators – keeping you up to date with our inspection plans (2 November 2021)

        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

        Latest updates

        Archive

        FAQs 

        Qualifications Wales confirms the summer 2022 grading approach (October 2021)

        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) 

        Letter from the Minister to parents providing an update on COVID-19 issues 13 January 2022

        Letter from the Minister to Educational Settings providing an update on COVID-19 issues 13 January 2022

        ‘Safety and wellbeing of children and young people a priority’ - McIlveen 10 January 2021

        Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 38) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2022 Published 07 January 2022 Notices

        Letter from Permanent Secretary to School Principals  Published 31 December 2021 Correspondence
        A letter has issued to all school Principals from the Permanent Secretary ahead of the new school term.

        Statement on Executive decisions: Measures to limit the spread of Omicron – 22 December 2021

        Circular 2021/25: Further guidance for schools on supporting remote learning to provide educational continuity – December 2021 Published 06 December 2021Guidance literature

        Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (Notice. 37) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 Published 01 December 2021
        Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 37) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021

        McIlveen announces further measures to support childcare providers 19 November 2021
        McIlveen announces further measures to support childcare providers 

        McIlveen welcomes further £5 million Education Wellbeing funding 18 November 2021
        Michelle McIlveen has announced a further £5 million for the Education Wellbeing funding allocation. ... 

        Additional £0.5million for Residential Outdoor Education Centres 08 November 2021
        Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced a further £0.5million funding to support Outdoor Education Centres. This new investment will provide financial assistance to centres as they continue to be impacted by the operating restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

        Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (Notice. 36) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 Published 08 November 2021 Notices
        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. 36 will last for a period of 28 days from 1 November 2021, unless the Department issues a cancellation notice before the end of that period.

        Guidance note on use of face coverings in post-primary settings Published 08 October 2021 Guidance literature
        Coronavirus guidance note to all educational settings on use of face coverings in post-primary settings.

        Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 35) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021   Published 06 October 2021 Notices
        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 

        PHA: Contact tracing in schools and other structured and supervised settings – Questions and Answers October 2021

        DoH: Guidance materials on school age vaccination published  06 October 2021

        Schools no longer required to undertake contact tracing 9 September 2021
        Education settings will no longer be asked to carry out contact tracing of pupils. 

        Statement from the Education Minister to the NI Assembly - 9 September 2021

        Revised arrangements for the identification of close contacts in schools - 9 September 2021 Correspondence

        Statement from Education Minister  07 September 2021
        Commenting on the current situation in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on schools Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said: “Detailed discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Health on measures to alleviate current pressures facing our schools as a result of COVID-19.

        Management information on attendance of pupils in schools  07 September 2021  Statistical report
        To coincide with the commencement of the new academic year management information was collected from schools and educational settings to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on pupil attendance.


        Letter from the Minister to School Principals in relation to contact tracing – 3 September 2021

        Revised Covid guidance for new academic year published Published 18 August 2021   

        McIlveen welcomes further lifting of COVID restrictions on schools Published 12 August 2021

        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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