Corona virus/COVID-19

10 Mar Corona virus/COVID-19

Where to find the latest information

Guidance for educational settings:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Updates on COVID-19:

• https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Department for Education corona virus helpline

The Department for Education corona virus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

If you work in a school, please have your unique reference number (URN or UKPRN) available when calling the helpline.

The latest updates from Ofqual can be found here:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-statement-on-coronavirus

As a school within the Central RSA Academies Trust we completed a comprehensive risk assessment before opening to wider numbers of pupils in June 2020.

The results across the Trust from 1^st June 2020 to the of end of summer term 2020 (20th July) are that there have been no reported positive cases amongst pupils or staff attending schools in our Trust. In this time period 7 potential cases were reported, all pupils and staff in those “bubbles” were sent home as a precaution and pupil’s parents or carers informed. All suspected cases proved to be negative and all pupil’s and staff in those bubbles were able to return to their respective schools.

The risk assessment covered the following areas;

1. Awareness of procedures and policies
2. Hygiene practices in classrooms and public areas
3. Administering first aid to those presenting symptoms of COVID-19
4. Managing suspected cases of COVID-19
5. Spread of infection
6. Clinically vulnerable staff
7. Mental health concerns – staff
8. Management of infectious diseases
9. Governance and policy
10. Vacant premises/re-opening of premises
11. Emergency/fire evacuation
12. Available capacity reduced by social distancing
13. Organising small class groups
14. Classroom based arrangements/class sizes
15. Continued prioritisation of vulnerable pupils
16. Pupil’s falling behind in learning
17. Pupil’s eligible for free school meals
18. Plans if staff numbers lower than required to teach classes
19. Staff training
20. Social distancing arrangements
21. Pupil behaviour
22. Transition planning
23. Communication of Academy plans
24. Academy building arrangements
25. Contractors on site
26. Costs of additional measures due to COVID-19
27. Mental health concerns – pupils
28. Transport arrangements
29. Updates

The risk assessment was regularly updated as required with new information and legislation for example the change in RIDDOR reporting requirements.