7 January – Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update to all education and childcare settings and providers

This is your email to keep you updated on the government’s response to COVID-19. If you have colleagues who would like to receive this email directly, please ask them to use this subscription form.

Today’s email includes:

Clarification on the use of face coverings in examinations and assessments

Following the temporary reintroduction of face coverings in classrooms, the public health guidance to support exams was updated on Sunday 2 January. This guidance sets out that we would not ordinarily expect candidates and invigilators to wear face coverings during exams and assessments, but only on arrival and departure. Both candidates and invigilators may wear face coverings if they wish to do so.

We recommend centres also follow this guidance for mock exams and other assessments taking place under exam conditions or as close to exam conditions as possible, including those taking place to gather evidence for Teacher Assessed Grades under the guidance published by Ofqual on Thursday 11 November. This includes circumstances where these assessments take place in classrooms.

For vocational and technical qualifications where the exam or assessment may require more interaction with an invigilator or others, such as a practical demonstration, centres have the flexibility to recommend that face coverings be worn if they deem this appropriate.

The infection prevention measures detailed in the public health guidance to support exams help to ensure a safe environment for students and staff. These measures continue to apply and should be adhered to.

Digital products available to support qualified teachers to return to teach on a temporary basis

COVID-19 continues to impact schools and colleges in England and we want to make sure that as many supply staff as possible are available, by encouraging ex-teachers from primary, secondary and further education to consider a return to teaching.

If you are still in contact with colleagues who may have the time and want to help, we have published an urgent call for qualified teachers which explains what is required and how to register with a supply teaching agency.

The Department for Education has also produced a toolkit to help you raise awareness among potential sign-ups. This includes digital products to use across your communication channels and a set of frequently asked questions to explain the process.

The information below has not changed since our last update

Department for Education COVID-19 helpline

The Department for Education COVID-19 helpline and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice service are available to answer any questions you have about COVID-19 relating to education and childcare settings and children’s social care.

Department for Education guidance

Our guidance to support education and childcare providers, local authorities and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic can be accessed using the links below: