Coronavirus guidance for schools

Advice for schools about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is being updated regularly. We will continue to update this page with new information as it becomes available.

The latest advice to educational establishments is being followed in school, as we:

• refer to official and expert advice from DfE and PHE in all matters
• access these sources of advice each time a situation arises do not refer to or rely on previous advice even if that was used only a few hours earlier as advice is changing almost hourly in response to the evolving situation nationally. 
• apply the advice from Schools' Attendance Team in relation to marking of registers
• have a plan (similar to an emergency action plan) that can be put into operation should it be needed and to include communication chains between staff and communication to parents, particularly out of hours.
• explore and plan how to provide learning for pupils who need to self-isolate as a proactive step.
• explore and plan for providing learning in case of school closure as a proactive step.
• refer to HR provider in relation to staff absence and follow advice. To share this guidance with staff as a proactive step.

DfE guidance

The Department for Education (DfE) has compiled a number of frequently asked questions which provide very useful information and is updated regularly and can be found using the link below: 

• DfE COVID-19 guidance for educational settings  (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19)

Amongst the topics are what to do if:

• children, pupils, students or staff become unwell and believe they have been exposed to COVID-19
• a case of COVID-19 (pupil, student or staff) is suspected in your childcare or education setting
• a case of COVID-19 (pupil, student or staff) is confirmed in your childcare or education setting
• pupils, students or staff in your institution are contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 who was symptomatic while attending your childcare or educational setting.

There is also information about pupils and staff who may have travelled to an infected country, school trips, cleaning schools where suspected cases have been, what to do with rubbish if a case is confirmed at a school.

Lancashire response

The situation is being monitored and planned for by the LCC Corporate Emergency Reponses Team (CERT).

At its most recent meeting this week it was reported that an early years/education subgroup is now in place which includes Lancashire and Blackpool with key links from Education and Improvement Service identified.

Useful/helpful links:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/common-questions/

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/20/what-is-self-isolation-and-why-is-it-important/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/