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Coronavirus: Does my child have to go back to school? Coronavirus: What will schools do if children get coronavirus?
(5 days later)
The prime minister has urged parents to send their children back to school for the autumn term. As children begin the autumn term, schools are adopting measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
So, how will the return to classes work? How will the return to classes work in England and what happens if there is an outbreak?
What measures should schools be following?
All schools and colleges are expected to reopen.
Schools have gone to ''enormous effort'' over the summer to make themselves safe, says schools minister Nick Gibb.
Measures include the introduction of hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and staggered break times.
Some rules must be followed in all schools, all the time:
Social distancing should be maintained wherever possible.
What happens if there's a coronavirus outbreak?
A school is said to have a coronavirus outbreak if there are two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or a there is a rise in the number of children off with suspected Covid-19.
If this happens, the school must work with local health protection teams.
If an outbreak in a school is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be sent. Testing will start with the infected pupil's class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.
In some cases, a larger number of pupils - for instance, a year group - may have to self-isolate at home as a precaution.
Closing a school will ''not generally be necessary'', the government says.
If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.
Teachers' unions have suggested schools need more support. NASUWT said schools need resources to cope with any disruption, including support for remote learning and cover for staff self-isolating.
What about schools in local lockdown areas?
If there is a change in the number of coronavirus cases in an area, schools will use a four-stage tier system of extra measures.
Tier 1: Schools fully open to all pupils, face coverings required in corridors and communal areas for staff and students Year 7 and above
Tier 2: A rota system - ideally two weeks on, two weeks off - will be used by secondary schools and colleges for most pupils, and primary schools stay open
Tier 3 and 4: ''Wider groups of pupils'' go back to remote learning at home, while vulnerable and key worker children continue to go to school
These measures will be applied as ''an absolute last resort,'' the government says. Areas where local lockdowns are currently in operation, are in tier 1.
Will children have to wear face coverings?
Aside from local lockdown areas, head teachers in any secondary school in England will have the "flexibility" to introduce masks.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, secondary pupils will have to wear face coverings from 31 August.
In Wales, it will be up to local councils and schools to decide.
Do I have to send my child back?Do I have to send my child back?
Schools in Scotland have now reopened, along with some schools in Northern Ireland. England and Wales are set to follow next month.
Children must return for the autumn term, unless they - or a close contact - develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.Children must return for the autumn term, unless they - or a close contact - develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus.
Head teachers can follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines.Head teachers can follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines.
Shielding has been paused, but at times some children may shield for longer because of higher local rates of coronavirus.Shielding has been paused, but at times some children may shield for longer because of higher local rates of coronavirus.
Separate guidance has been published for England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Separate guidance has been published for England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What will schools have to do?
The government has set out a system of controls for schools and said the following four points must happen in all schools, all the time.
It also wants schools to minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible.
Will my children have to wear face coverings?
In England, secondary pupils will have to wear face coverings in school corridors in local lockdown areas. While head teachers in any secondary school will also have the "flexibility" to introduce masks.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, secondary pupils will have to wear face coverings from 31 August. In Wales, it will be up to local councils and schools to decide.
How will the school day work?How will the school day work?
Schools are expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum when they return, but the school day may look different to previous years. Schools are expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum but the school day may look different to previous years.
Schools are also being asked to: They are being asked to:
What happens if there's an outbreak? What about getting to school?
A school is said to have a coronavirus outbreak if there are two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or a rise in the number of children off with suspected Covid-19. Walking or cycling will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates, or go on site without an appointment.
If this happens, they must work with local health protection teams.
In some cases, these teams may recommend that a larger number of pupils self-isolate at home as a precaution - for instance, the year group.
Where an outbreak in a school is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be dispatched there. Testing will first focus on the infected person's class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.
However, government advice says that "whole school closure based on cases within the school will not generally be necessary, and should not be considered except on the advice of health protection teams".
If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.
What about getting to and from school?
There may be staggered start and finish times to keep groups apart and walking or cycling to school will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates or go on site without an appointment.
Dedicated school transport services will be asked to:Dedicated school transport services will be asked to:
Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival.Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival.
What about breakfast or after-school clubs? If possible, breakfast and after-school clubs should resume, with children staying within their year groups or bubbles if possible, and if not, in "small, consistent groups".
If possible these should resume in September, but the government acknowledges it will be "logistically challenging" and may take some schools longer.
Children should ideally stay within their year groups or bubbles - but if this can't be done, then schools should use "small, consistent groups" to minimise infection risk.
What else does the government say?
Pupils should:
Ofsted inspections will remain suspended for the autumn term - but schools may be visited to assess how the new arrangements are working.