UK Schools & Covid 19 - January 2021 Update

Written By Sarah Teasdale

In what many see as the storm before the calm, an increase in the transmissibility of Covid 19 through a new mutation of the virus has seen the UK and the devolved Governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland taking further action to control the pandemic ahead of an ambitious vaccination programme. These new restrictions are running parallel with the UK’s largest roll out of the two authorised vaccines, with the newly approved and easier to store ‘Oxford/AstraZeneca’ vaccine now being administered alongside the ‘Pfizer’ vaccine across the whole of the UK.

Where current infection rates are high in England, the Government places the area concerned into Tier 4 which is the highest Tier in terms of restrictions. These restrictions are designed to ease the pressure on the National Health Service by reducing infection rates. The situation is under constant review with the Scottish government announcing a new national month of lock-down effective from midnight Monday 4th January (until the end of January) and the Welsh government reviewing whether to also prolong the current Level 4 lock-down until the end of January. Northern Ireland announced a new 4 week lock-down beginning 26th December with a review at the end of the 4 week period.

As far as schooling is concerned, as things currently stand Secondary Schools in England are staggering their return after the Christmas break. Pupils taking exams in 2021 (UK year 11 and 13) will now start on 11 January, with other year groups returning in person on 18 January. This delay was intended to give schools time to set up mass testing.

Most Primary Schools in England were supposed to return on the 4th January, but this is looking unlikely for many, especially in the South of England where schools will not open for most pupils until 18 January. This is because of a spike in infections which has seen the whole region being placed into Tier 4.  It may be that other regions will follow suit.

Confirmed locations within the South East where primary schools remain closed until the 18th January

London

  • All boroughs and the City of London

Essex

  • Brentwood

  • Epping Forest

  • Castle Point

  • Basildon

  • Rochford

  • Harlow

  • Chelmsford

  • Braintree

  • Maldon

  • Southend on Sea

  • Thurrock

Kent

  • Dartford

  • Gravesham

  • Sevenoaks

  • Medway

  • Ashford

  • Maidstone

  • Tonbridge and Malling

  • Tunbridge Wells

  • Swale

East Sussex

  • Hastings

  • Rother

Buckinghamshire

  • Milton Keynes

Hertfordshire

  • Watford

  • Broxbourne

  • Hertsmere

  • Three Rivers

In Wales, the Government are saying there will be "flexibility" at the beginning of term, with teaching due to start in most places from 4 January. Schools are expected to offer face-to-face learning for most pupils by 11 January, with a full return by 18 January.

In Northern Ireland, primary school pupils will be taught online until 11 January. In secondary schools, years 8 to 11 will be taught online throughout January. Years 12 to 14 will return to school after the first week of January.

In Scotland, the Christmas holidays have been extended to 11 January, and the following week will be online learning only. A full return to face-to-face learning is planned for 18 January.

If a child tests positive for COVID 19 they will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days. The school will then contact the local public health protection team and taking local factors into consideration they may ask the whole class or year group to self-isolate.

Extra precautions continue in schools

· All schools must have hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and staggered break times.

· Improved cleaning procedures have been introduced, and social distancing wherever possible.

· In England, younger children are being encouraged to mix in small groups or "bubbles" as they are unlikely to stay 2m apart.

· Older children, such as those in secondary schools, are being encouraged to avoid touching one another as much as possible.

· Pupils and teachers in secondary schools and colleges in England and Wales must wear face masks in communal areas.

· Scotland's senior pupils (years S4-S6) and their teachers must also wear them in class in level 3 and 4 restriction areas.

· In Wales, face coverings are recommended in high schools when social distancing is "unlikely to be maintained". face coverings must be worn in the corridors of post-primary schools, and on school and public transport.

· In Northern Ireland face coverings must be worn in the corridors of post-primary schools, and on school and public transport.

 

Current thinking on exams across the country

· In England, A-levels and GCSEs are due to go ahead with reduced content for some subjects, and later exam dates.

· Scotland's Higher and Advanced Higher exams have been cancelled for 2021, with final grades based on teacher assessment. The National 5 exams have also been cancelled.

· The Welsh government has cancelled next summer's GCSE, AS and A-level exams, and grades will be based on classroom assessments.

· In Northern Ireland A-level, AS and GCSE exams will start a week later than usual.

Disclaimer

The situation is fairly fluid across the regions of the UK so we advise checking on local conditions ahead of taking any action in reliance of the above.

Sarah Teasdale
SARAH TEASDALE - LEAD CONSULTANT & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Introducing Sarah Teasdale, Lead Consultant, Managing Director and the powerhouse behind Educatus. Sarah started the company back in 2013 after going through the whirlwind of relocating across the globe with her three young daughters and facing the daunting task of finding the right schools for them abroad. Having personally experienced the ups and downs that can come with moving frequently - living in places like Ireland, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and eventually returning to the UK, Sarah knows firsthand the mix of emotions that come with moving to a new country and helping children settle into a new school. At Educatus, she's all about ensuring a smoother and less daunting process for corporate clients, parents, and importantly their little ones.   

Sarah's journey into education began as a trained teacher in England, where she gained experience in both state and independent schools. Her teaching adventures extended then to Ireland and Bahrain, before her next move to Kenya where she established her own supply-teaching agency, catering to international schools in Nairobi. Her passion for education led her to work with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the United Nation's Kenyan Office, providing guidance to families seeking quality schools in Kenya and East Africa. Afterwards, Sarah returned to the Middle East, where she contributed significantly to a project in the UAE focused on developing and implementing a new school curriculum in government schools.  

Upon returning to England, Sarah became part of a prominent relocation company, where she played a crucial role in establishing their in-house education consultancy. This role centered around assisting clients who were relocating families in and out of the UK.  

Given all her own experience, Sarah wanted to take the leap and in 2013 established her own education consulting company, Educatus. With her leadership, she handpicked an exceptional team of consultants based in the UK who share her dedication. Together, they are committed to providing outstanding support and guidance, making the transition smoother for families embarking on similar relocation journeys. 

Previous

UK Schools – Latest COVID Closures announcement
Next

Relocating families: Finding a school place in the UK during the pandemic.