Updated 16th July 2020

“Public Health England does not (based on current evidence) recommend the use of face coverings in schools. This evidence will be kept under review. They are not required in schools as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups, and because misuse may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission. There may also be negative effects on communication and thus education. 

Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in shops.” 

The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need to do their work. PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases including: 

• Where an individual child or young person becomes ill with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms while at schools, and only then if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained. 
• Where a child or young person already has routine intimate care needs that involves the use of PPE, in which case the same PPE should continue to be used.

Transport 

All students traveling to school on a bus, will need to wear a face covering. 

NHS Test and Trace

Engage with the NHS Test and Trace process (DfE guidance)

Schools must ensure they understand the NHS Test and Trace process and how to contact their local Public Health England health protection team. Schools must ensure that staff members and parents/carers understand that they will need to be ready and willing to:

• book a test if they are displaying symptoms. Staff and pupils must not come into the school if they have symptoms, and must be sent home to self-isolate if they develop them in school. All children can be tested, including children under 5, but children aged 11 and under will need to be helped by their parents/carers if using a home testing kit
• provide details of anyone they have been in close contact with if they were to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or if asked by NHS Test and Trace
• self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or someone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

Anyone who displays symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can and should get a test. Tests can be booked online through the NHS testing and tracing for coronavirus website, or ordered by telephone via NHS 119 for those without access to the internet. Essential workers, which includes anyone involved in education or childcare, have priority access to testing.

The government will ensure that it is as easy as possible to get a test through a wide range of routes that are locally accessible, fast and convenient. We will release more details on new testing avenues as and when they become available and will work with schools so they understand what the quickest and easiest way is to get a test. By the autumn term, all schools will be provided with a small number of home testing kits that they can give directly to parents/carers collecting a child who has developed symptoms at school, or staff who have developed symptoms at school, where they think providing one will significantly increase the likelihood of them getting tested. Advice will be provided alongside these kits.

Schools should ask parents and staff to inform them immediately of the results of a test:

• if someone tests negative, if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu – in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
• if someone tests positive, they should follow the ‘stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection’ and must continue to self-isolate for at least 7 days from the onset of their symptoms and then return to school only if they do not have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell/taste. This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone. The 7-day period starts from the day when they first became ill. If they still have a high temperature, they should keep self-isolating until their temperature returns to normal. Other members of their household should continue self-isolating for the full 14 days.

Parents have been informed of the following below:

Parents will be required to:

• Book a test if their child is displaying symptoms. All children can be tested. Tests can be booked online through the NHS testing and tracing website or ordered by telephone via NHS 119.
• Provide details of anyone their child has been in close contact with if they were to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or if asked by NHS Test and Trace (school will provide information to NHS regarding other children in school)
• Self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or someone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Inform school immediately if someone tests negative, if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu- in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
• Inform school immediately if someone tests positive, they must continue to self-isolate for at least 7 days from the onset of their symptoms and return to school only if they do not have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell/taste. This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone. The 7 day period starts from the day when they first became ill. If they still have a high temperature, they should keep self-isolating until their temperature returns to normal. Other members of their household should continue self-isolating for the full 14 days.

Useful Websites:

Full DfE Guidance – July 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools

NHS – Test and Trace How it works

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#people-who-develop-symptoms-of-coronavirus

Order a test – NHS England

https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

People who develop symptoms of coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#people-who-develop-symptoms-of-coronavirus

Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

Contacts: PHE health protection teams

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contacts-phe-health-protection-teams

Staff who are clinically vulnerable or extremely clinically vulnerable

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Extra mental health support for pupils and teachers

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-mental-health-support-for-pupils-and-teachers

The Education Support Partnership provides a free helpline for school staff and targeted support for mental health and wellbeing

https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/

Health and Safety Executive

https://www.hse.gov.uk/