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21 Jan 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 21 January 2021: Updated health and safety FAQs (guidance on use of facemasks) 

England:  Interview: Who should get priority for the vaccine? 

More here

Scotland: SQA Update from the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications 2021 Group 

Updates 20 January 2021:  Latest FAQs (testing and vaccination)

England: 

Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace have published a position statement on daily contact testing as a replacement for self-isolation in secondary schools and colleges. Further information here.

Wales: Welsh Government:  Changes to qualifications confirmed by Education Minister Kirsty Williams following further disruption to learning:

Updates 19 January 2021: Scottish Government: 

Review of restrictions 
Current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of February.
Schools across Scotland will also continue to use remote learning until at least the middle of February except in the case of vulnerable children and those of key workers.
No change to ELC and childcare until at least mid-February. Nurseries & regulated childcare providers should continue to open to key worker/vulnerable children only.

England (DfE): Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing burdens on educational and care settings

Updates 18 January 2021: 

England: DfE:   Coronavirus (COVID-19) asymptomatic testing for staff in primary schools and nurseries Information on rapid asymptomatic coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for staff in primary schools, school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools.

Read more here.


England: Package of changes needed for the early years workforce Many of the challenges facing the sector’s workforce have been exacerbated by COVID-19

England: Latest DfE updated guidance 

Wales: Latest Welsh Government updates

Information for Voice members:

Click here for government guidance for each UK country.

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

Voice resources:

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)

FAQs

Learning and Activity Resources (last updated 17 April 2020)  

Useful contacts/websites/help for self-employed

Voice Rewards

Voice statements and comments:

January 2021:

Letters call for priority access to vaccine 

Education and early years staff must be tested and vaccinated now, says Voice Community after survey

Update 8 January 2021: Update for members in early years, AP and SEND provision

Update 5 January 2021:  AGS Deborah Lawson interviewed on BBC Radio Derby

Updates 4 January 2021:   Voice Community:

England:  Statement on national address by Prime Minister

Scotland: Comment on First Minister’s lockdown announcement

Wales: Statement on new term arrangements in Wales

Updates 3 January 2021 England: Voice Community statement on safety of schools and other settings 

Voice Community: Statement on mass COVID testing in schools and colleges in England in 2021 + further DfE info December 2020

Joint TUC statement (pdf)

December 2020: England and Wales: Keeping our schools and colleges safe places for staff and learners

6 November 2020: England:

Voice Blog: Staff need to know they’re not an afterthought

Voice Blog: Staff need answers

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

UK

JCQ's centre error appeals guidance is now available for heads of exam centres, senior leaders and teaching staff (pdf) (3 September 2020)

 Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on schools and childcare reopening (23 August 2020)

England

Ofqual, Ofsted etc  DfE

SAGE

SAGE update December 2020

Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE): Coronavirus (COVID-19) response  (22 May 2020)

The DfE published its Overview of scientific information on coronavirus (COVID-19) on 15 May 2020.

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health:

COVID-19 - talking to children and families about returning to school: guiding principles (10 September 2020)

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

New winter package to provide further support for children and families 8 November 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

19 December 2020:

Tier 4 guidance including:

Targeted testing to be offered to children in north east London, Kent and Essex — Press release
Hundreds of thousands of tests will be offered to secondary school and college-age children in a targeted effort to drive down rapidly rising cases.

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

More here

20 January 2021:

Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace have published a position statement on daily contact testing as a replacement for self-isolation in secondary schools and colleges. Further information here.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges Updated: 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) asymptomatic testing in schools and colleges Updated: 

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) asymptomatic testing for staff in primary schools and nurseries Updated: 
Information on rapid asymptomatic coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for staff in primary schools, school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools.

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

Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings For the period of national lockdown, please also refer to the: guidance…

Mass asymptomatic testing in specialist settings This guidance is for leaders and others involved in the mass testing…

Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care Updated: 

Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications Updated: 
Summary of changes Updated guidance

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term.

Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings Updated: 
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do 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.

Providing school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 
This guidance has been updated to include information on: how to order…

Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups    Updated: 

Letter from Gavin Williamson to Simon Lebus  Updated: 
The Secretary of State for Education writes to Ofqual's Chief Regulator outlining the process to agree alternative arrangements for exams in 2021.

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

Laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers progress data Updated: 
Information about how many laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers we have delivered or dispatched to local authorities and academy trusts.

Get help with technology during coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated: 
Guidance for local authorities, academy trusts and schools on devices and support available to provide remote education and access to children’s social care.

Hundreds of thousands more laptops to support disadvantaged pupils learn at home   

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak  Updated: 

Providing remote education information to parents: template Updated: 

How to complete the educational setting status form Updated: 

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges Updated: 

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

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

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for 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

Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Face coverings in education Guidance on the use of face coverings for schools and other education institutions that teach people in years 7 and above in England.  Updated: 

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak Updated: 

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Updated: 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children's social care services

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children's social care services

Get laptops and tablets for children who cannot attend school due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Get help with technology during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Mass asymptomatic testing: schools and colleges: Find out how to administer testing which will begin in January 2021.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care

Coronavirus (COVID-19) contingency framework for education and childcare settings   7 January 2021

How settings can prepare for restrictions to help contain community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Contingency framework: education and childcare settings (excluding universities)  7 January 2021

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)   7 January 2021
Information on the return of students from January 2021 and NHS Test and Trace channels.

Student movement and plans for the end of term   7 January 2021

Higher education: reopening buildings and campuses 7 January 2021

School attendance: guidance for schools   7 January 2021
Covers registers and attendance codes (including circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19)), school hours and term dates, and improving school attendance.

Addendum: recording attendance in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19) during the 2020 to 2021 academic year

Improving school attendance: support for schools and local authorities 7 January 2021

Disapplication notice: school attendance legislation changes  7 January 2021

Education Secretary's statement to Parliament on education settings and national lockdown, including exams, 6 January 2021:

Definitions of vulnerable children and young people, and critical workers (January 2021)

Contingency framework implemented across London boroughs Press release DfE and DHSC 1 January 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) contingency framework for education and childcare settings Guidance 1 January 2021

Click here for Archive of earlier DfE updates

Ofqual

Consultation on how GCSE, AS and A level grades should be awarded in summer 2021   Updated: 
The approach to awarding GCSE, AS and A level grades in 2021 following the cancellation of exams.

Consultation on alternative arrangements for the award of VTQs and other general qualifications in 2021 Updated: 
The approach to awarding vocational and technical grades in 2021 following the cancellation of exams.

Ofqual’s response to Education Secretary's letter on exams 13 January 2021

Consultation seeks views about exam advance information 10 December 2020

Extraordinary regulatory framework: VTQ, Covid-19 Conditions and Requirements Regulation, 4 December 2020
These documents set out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Extraordinary regulatory framework: General Qualifications, COVID-19 Conditions and Requirements  Regulation, updated16 October 2020
This document sets out Ofsted’s regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering general qualifications during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Extraordinary regulatory framework: VTQ, Covid-19 Conditions and Requirements  Regulation, updated 12 October 2020
This document sets out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Joint statement from AoC, AELP, HOLEX, FAB, JCQ and Ofqual on VTQs  22 September 2020

Click here for Archive of earlier Ofqual updates

Ofsted

Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update  Detailed guide  (updated 18 January 2021)

Ofsted inspections to be done remotely until half term  Updated: 
All planned inspection activity will be carried out remotely until after the February half term.

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

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

 
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

Review of restrictions 19 January 2021
Current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of February, the First Minister confirmed today.
Schools across Scotland will also continue to use remote learning until at least the middle of February except in the case of vulnerable children and those of key workers.
No change to ELC and childcare until at least mid-February as COVID-19 rates remain high. Nurseries & regulated childcare providers should continue to open to key worker/vulnerable children only.

Schools funding 13 January 2021
More teachers, digital devices and support for families.

Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): support to childcare sector 13 January 2021

College and university returns postponed  8 January 2020

Education Scotland: Supporting-remote-learning

Education Scotland CERG (COVID-19 Education Recovery Group) Guidance

Arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in January 2021

Arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in January 2021 – supplementary guidance (updated 6 January 2021) (pdf) (6 January 2021)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): childcare provision from 26 December to 18 January 21 December 2020 - updated 6 January
Guidance for regulated early learning and childcare and school age childcare services.

Scotland in lockdown. 4 January 2021 

Support for outdoor play and learning 21 December 2020
New £1 million children’s winter clothing fund.

Schools guidance 21 December 2020
Updated measures for pupils and staff.

The First Minister set out new plans for the return of schools in the New Year. 18 December 2020
Teachers will return to work as planned and children of key workers and the most vulnerable children, will return to schools as planned.For the majority of pupils the holiday period will be extended until 11 January and learning will begin online from then until at least 18 January. All these measures will be kept under regular review.

    Click here for Archive of earlier Scottish Government updates

    Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT)

    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 Update from the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications 2021 Group  21 Jnauaey 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 qualifications confirmed by Education Minister Kirsty Williams following further disruption to learning  Press release

    Written Statement: Update on General Qualifications in 2021 (20 January 2021)  Cabinet statement

    Design and Delivery Advisory Group: letter to the minister January 2021  Public response

    £40 million extra to support students facing financial hardship  Press release

    50 online learning logins a second and other ways that show how Wales is ‘leading the way’ in digital services to support remote learning  Press release

    Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  Updated Detailed guide 

    Further education: coronavirus  Updated Detailed guide

    Live straming and video conferencing guidance

    Written Statement: Update on Delivery of Higher Education in Wales (8 January 2021) 
    Our message to students, staff and universities in general is the same as the rest of the population: Stay home, work or study from home if you can. Only attend your place of work or study if you can’t work from home.  Universities will let students know when they should return to campus.

    First Minister: “Stay home to save lives”  8 January 2020
    "Unless there is a significant reduction in cases of coronavirus before 29 January – the date of the next three-week review of the regulations – school and college students will continue to learn online until the February half term."

    Letter to secondary schools (pdf)

    Llythyr ysgolion uwchradd (pdf)

    Letter to primary schools (pdf)

    Llythyr ysgolion cynradd (pdf)

    Letter to special schools (pdf)

    Llythyr ysgolion arbennig (pdf)

    Changes to the School Organisation Code: coronavirus   Guidance

    Registering temporary pupils: coronavirus  Guidance

    Return to school and college arrangements following Christmas break 5 January 2021 / Trefniadau ar gyfer dychwelyd i’r ysgol a’r coleg ar ôl gwyliau’r Nadolig 5 Ionawr 2021

    Written Statement: Return to school and college arrangements (4 January 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

    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

    WJEC

    FAQs

    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)

    Statement from Education Minister on AQE Test 13 January 2021
    AQE will not operate a test this year 

    Weir highlights significant investment to support remote learning  10 January 2021

    Education Minister announces all GCSE, AS and A2 exams due to take place in January, February, May and June will be cancelled 06 January 2021

    Weir sets out plans for education provision 05 January 2021

    Minister announces new measures to support childcare providers  05 January 2021
    Financial assistance for Covid-19 related closures in the childcare sector .

    Updated Circular - Further guidance for schools on supporting remote learning 05 January 2021

    Weir announces changes to schools` reopening arrangements 31 December 2020
    Revised plans announced for schools reopening after the Christmas break.

    Statement from the Education Minister to the Ad Hoc Committee 21 December 2020
    Education Minister's statement to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Assembly on the resumption of schools after Christmas

    Schools to return in January - Weir 18 December 2020
    Schools and other education settings will reopen in the first week of January.

    Statement from the Education Minister on the transfer test 18 December 2020
    Stakeholders urged to work together so children can sit the transfer test in their own primary school.

    Weir outlines plans for exams and assessments in 2021 15 December 2020

    Limavady schools take part in COVID-19 rapid testing initiative  07 December 2020
    Two schools in Limavady are participating in an NHS COVID-19 testing scheme.

    Minister announces new measures to support childcare providers 03 December 2020
    Childcare Sustainability Support Fund will be open for applications from Friday 4 December

    Schools are not closing early for Christmas holidays - Weir 30 November 2020
    No plans to extend schools' Christmas holidays

    School holiday food grants to be extended until Easter 2022  19 November 2020
    Families of young people who are entitled to Free School Meals will receive food grants during school holidays

    Education Restart Wellbeing fund launched 17 November 2020
    £5million fund to help educational settings support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people 

    Delivery of GCSEs in 2020/21 - Food and Nutrition, Government and Politics, Health and Social Care, Religious Studies and Statistics 06 November 2020

    Update on Physical Education in schools  03 November 2020
    Peter Weir secures legal change to allow schools and other education settings to deliver PE:

    Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 15) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 04 November 2020
    The Department of Education has exercised the power provided under section 38(3)(c) and paragraph 17(1), (2)(a)(ii) 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

    Parents can play critical role in keeping schools safe - Weir 02 November 2020

    Face coverings to be mandatory on all school transport for post-primary children 29 October 2020

    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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