Back to school information
Public Health England leaflets
- Taking your child to an early years setting – information for parents
- Taking your child to primary school – what you need to know
- Supporting students at secondary school or college – what you need to know
The GOV.UK website also has education guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students
In this Somerset Covid Catch-up video, former BBC correspondent Clinton Rogers discusses the return to school for the majority of Somerset’s pupils and the differences when compared with last term, due to the change in advice regarding Covid-19.
Key points of testing guides
Latest education guidance
As the country moves to Step 4 of the Roadmap from 19 July 2021, the government is moving away from firm restrictions, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others. As we learn to live with Covid-19, the government are keen to reduce the disruption to children and young people’s education – particularly given that the direct clinical risks to children are extremely low.
Key messages include:
- Students will complete 2 onsite Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests on return to school and will then be encouraged to complete twice weekly LFD at home.
- Members of staff and household members of nursery, primary, secondary or college age pupils or staff will be asked to complete twice weekly LFD tests at home. This is to identify if they have the virus and if so to stay away from work and get their children PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tested as they are a close contact.
- It is still important that students and staff do not attend school if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and get a PCR test to confirm. The school will then need to be informed on why the child is not attending.
- All schools have plans in place to control the spread of COVID-19 at their setting. Should they get cases, they know how to respond and can access support from the Somerset County Council Public Health Team.
Somerset children and young people - health and wellbeing
Somerset’s Children and Young People’s team in Public Health host a website to support schools, colleges, getset services, children’s centres and the wider children and young people’s workforce to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Somerset.
You can find useful information on the Healthy Somerset website
Talking to children about COVID-19
We all realise how difficult it can be trying to talk to children and young people about global crises – how much to tell children, how and when to talk to them, and how we can feel prepared for challenging conversations.
Our Education Psychology Service has compiled a list of resources and useful websites that may help you.
Resources for home learning
Where children are not able to attend school, GOV.UK provides various online education resources to help with home learning. These may be useful alongside school resources and support.
Supporting your children’s remote education during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home.
Get help with technology during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance on the devices and support available to provide remote education and access to children’s social care.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): keeping children safe online – Advice and guidance to help parents and carers to keep children safe online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
More information
All education guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students – Coronavirus information for parents, schools, colleges and universities.
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges.
If your child/children uses school transport please visit www.somerset.gov.uk/schooltransport for further information and guidance.
Getting tested – Information on how to get a test, exposure to COVID, symptoms and isolation periods
COVID-19 vaccination: Resources for children and young people – Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination.
Package of support for students who have to defer their studies – Details on a range of opportunities to gain new skills, undertake work placements, additional learning and career development support.
Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care – Preventing and controlling infection, including the use of PPE, in education, childcare and children’s social care settings during the coronavirus outbreak.
Don’t forget to also check your school website for updates or information.
If you haven’t found what you need, or need more support please phone us on 0300 123 2224