Today the Government announced the formalised plan for education settings in January.
Early years and primary year groups will return as normal from the start of term, with the exception of a small number of areas where primary schools will shift to remote education in line with the contingency framework – I do not believe this includes Rutland and Melton.
Secondary schools and further education colleges will further stagger the return of their students to education to give more time for the rollout of rapid testing to find asymptomatic cases and break chains of transmission, with face-to-face education for all beginning on 18 January. All secondary schools and colleges are expected to establish testing.
All children and young people can return to face-to-face education in special schools and special post 16 settings - though some staggering of return can be agreed with parents to allow some special settings roll out rapid testing. All children and young people will return to alternative provision settings from 4 January
In Universities, students doing medical, clinical and healthcare related subjects, including nursing, social care, dentistry and veterinary studies can return as planned, along with those on teacher training courses. All other students should access learning online and remain at their vacation address wherever possible. Plans for the return of remaining students will be kept under review, with the first review point to take place in w/c18 January.
The reason for this slight change today is in light of growing evidence that older children may be transmitting the new strain of the virus at the same rate as adults. There is no evidence younger children transmit the new strain of the virus at the same rate as adults, and there is no evidence the new strain of the virus causes more serious illness in either children or adults.
This further staggered return will give more time for the rollout of rapid testing to find asymptomatic cases and break chains of transmission, making it as safe as possible to have a full return to face-to-face education for all pupils from 18 January.
Timeline For Return
w/c 4 January
- Early years and primary year groups will return as normal from the start of term
- Children of critical workers; vulnerable children are in school/college
- Exam year groups (y11 and y13) receive remote education
- No other year groups required to be provided remote education
- Public exams taking place (i.e. VTQs) to go ahead as normal without the need for testing beforehand.
- Secondary schools and colleges to prioritise establishing COVID testing.
w/c 11 January
- Children of critical workers; vulnerable children are in school/college and are able to access wraparound childcare where necessary
- All other year groups to be taught via remote education
- Schools/colleges to run their testing programme rollout, prioritising those children in school, staff and exam cohorts – with staggered return as testing takes place.
w/c 18 January
- All children/young people in school/college for face-to-face education
