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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:
- information on the announcement that confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results
- information on the vaccination programme for 12 to 15 year olds
- an urgent call for support to encourage qualified teachers to return to teach on a temporary basis
- a reminder to complete the educational setting status form
- information for schools on the Accelerator Fund
- a change to the UKHSA advice service opening hours
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Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results
Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
Information on the vaccination programme for 12 to 15 year olds
Thank you for all your work to support the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for 12 to 15 year olds in schools. Around half of 12 to 15 year olds have now received at least one dose.
Young people aged 12 to 15 in England are now being offered a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a minimum of 12 weeks from the first dose, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Parents can book vaccinations for their child, if aged 12 or over, through the NHS booking system.
Vaccination for this group will also continue to be carried out by the school age immunisation service (SAIS). In school vaccination will begin from Monday 10 January. Your SAIS team will be in touch if you have not yet heard from them.
To support the ongoing vaccination rollout, we have updated the “how to” guide for schools. This guide includes useful information and resources for schools, including a template letter that can be used to communicate with parents.
Please see the guidance on COVID-19 vaccination: resources for schools and parents for further information and resources on the vaccination programme.
Urgent call for support to encourage qualified teachers to return to teach on a temporary basis
COVID-19 continues to impact schools and colleges in England and we are seeking your help to invite qualified ex-teachers to consider returning to teaching on a temporary basis. 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 returning to support colleagues and the nation’s children and young people through this difficult time.
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.
Reminder to complete the educational setting status form
The educational setting status form reopened on Tuesday 4 January. Please begin completing the form from the start of your term and provide your data by 2pm each working day. Thank you for your continued support.
This information remains vital in monitoring and understanding the impact of COVID-19 in schools and colleges. It continues to be shared and used across government and with SAGE and other health experts, as part of tracking infection and transmission of the virus, and to inform decision-making.
We have updated the guidance on how to complete the educational settings status form to include the updated list of questions for schools and colleges.
Information for schools on the Accelerator Fund
As part of the government’s £22 million Accelerator Fund, we have announced that the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) will receive over £10 million to support the availability, and scale-up, of well-evidenced programmes and help disadvantaged pupils catch up. EEF will prioritise three Regional Schools Commissioner regions that have experienced substantial learning loss – the North of England, East Midlands and Humber, and the West Midlands.
The fund, announced in February 2021, aims to scale-up and spread effective teaching practice to ensure pupils have the best chance of catching up following the pandemic. Just under half (£10 million) of this funding is being used to focus on English and Maths catch-up sessions.
Further information about the programmes and activity, including how schools can get involved, will be announced in early 2022 by EEF.
UKHSA advice service opening hours
The UKHSA advice service (for information and advice on dealing with outbreaks in settings) opening hours have changed. The advice service is available between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
If you think you have an outbreak of COVID-19 at your setting and need help taking action, please call the helpline on 0800 046 8687 (during these hours) and press option 1, then option 1 again.
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:
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