Local outbreaks could require further restrictions to be put in place to minimise and reduce the contact of households. Potentially decision makers may be required to reduce education and childcare setting attendances to control local outbreaks. The DfE have set out this contingency framework for decision makers as a guide when assessing education and childcare settings.
In the event of extremely high levels of COVID-19 or should new variants pose a threat, the government may be required to review current measures to substantially reduce the number of overall social contact to help protect the NHS. This could call for decision makers to restrict attendances in some education and childcare settings.
This week the DfE have published a contingency framework on how this would affect education and childcare settings. Throughout this publication, the DfE stress that this would be a last resort. Nevertheless, such information should be duly noted to help education and childcare providers prepare for any measure that would have such a profound impact on their operation.
The DfE stated in this publication that prior to resorting to imposing such restrictions on education and childcare settings further measures may be introduced. Measures such as reintroducing face coverings or increased testing will initially be considered. Nevertheless, it may be a necessary measure in controlling outbreaks to substantially reduce education and childcare attendances. The DfE advice regarding education and childcare attendances is as follows:
- Early years’ attendances may be limited following DfE guidance to permit attendance of only vulnerable children and those children of key workers.
- Primary schools may be limited to either of the following options; to permit children on key workers, vulnerable children and years 1 and 2 to continue to attend whilst other groups are restricted. The other option would be to only permit the attendance of key worker children and vulnerable children. If either of these events were to occur, schools should be prepared to deliver high quality remote learning sessions.
- Middle schools could be required to use a combined approach dependant on the current local restrictions for primary and secondary schools. Again, such schools should be prepared to deliver high quality remote education.
- Secondary schools may be advised one of two options: to allow vulnerable, key worker children and pupils in years 10, 11, 12 and 13 also those pupils due to take external examinations during the academic year to continue to attend. The other option may be that only vulnerable and key worker children are permitted to attend. Secondary school must also deliver high quality remote education. If restricted attendance measures were put into place, then the DfE may advise a staggered return and prioritise groups in returning gradually.
- 16 – 19 academies should be reviewed in line with guidance for sixth form or further education, dependant on which ever mostly reflects the establishment.
- Further education (FE) providers may be required to permit the attendance of vulnerable or the children of key workers, those students undergoing practical assessments, those students requiring use of specialist equipment and those required to take assessments or examinations within the academic year. However, if the attendance uptake is low due to limited number of key worker children there may be scope for further attendances following further DfE guidance. In turn, if uptake is high and further limitations are necessary, the DfE may advise that only vulnerable students, children or key workers and those students or apprentices currently undertaking practical assessments should attend. For the remaining restricted students, high quality remote reduction should be delivered. FE providers delivering HE courses would also follow this plan.
- Apprenticeships may be advised to continue delivery in person where virtual delivery is not possible. Unless restrictions require a workplace to close, the apprentice may continue in the workplace.
- Boarding schools should follow the same guidance of primary and secondary schools, including the advice given in relation to a staggered group return. However, for those children that cannot return home, the school should continue to deliver education.
- Special schools and special post-16 institutions should encourage pupils to continue with their timetable and deliver face-to-face provision where appropriate. However where attendance is not mandatory, providers should encourage and welcome full time attendance although the decision lies with parents or carers as to whether the pupil continues to attend.
- Alternative provision (AP) should continue deliver provision full-time. Although, it is understood that due to shortages of appropriate staff, however should endeavour to fulfil full time provision. High quality virtual learning, should be delivered to pupils unable to attend.
- Hospital education should still deliver full-time education if possible. Where mainstream schools deliver education to students in hospital, this should continue virtually.
- Out of school and wraparound childcare providers may continue to offer provision for those children over the age of 5 whom are eligible to attend school full-time.
- Higher education (HE) providers are responsible for their own measures. However, where highly necessary it may be advised that HE providers assess which groups would benefit most from attendance and offering virtual provision to those other groups.
The contingency plan notes that provision for those pupils and students at a higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, should be based on national guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV). From 1 April shielding for those CEV was no longer advised, however such groups were advised to take extra precautions and ensure greater efforts are made than advised to the general public to reduce contact and minimise the risk of transmission.
The framework refers to various provisions, further information on the classifications of each provision is as below;
- Early years settings (this includes all providers on the early years Ofsted register.)
- Schools (primary, middle and upper schools including reception classes. secondary, including sixth forms. residential and day special schools. special post-16 providers. AP, including pupil referral units, AP academies and AP free schools.)
- Out of School settings (breakfast clubs, after-school or holiday clubs and other out-of-school settings including providers of wraparound childcare for children over the age of 5.)
- Further Education (sixth form colleges, general FE colleges, independent training providers, designated institutions, adult community learning providers and special post-16 institutions.)
- Higher Education (universities, specialist and independent HE providers.)
For further guidance the DfE publication can be found here. However, if you have any concerns or need support regarding this information, updating policies and processes, then please contact a member of the Fusion team on 01924 827869, or click here to contact us.
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