Schools are sent daily updates from the Department for Education.  On this page we will post updates and links to helpful sites.

Closure of Educational Settings

Please see the latest information from the DfE.

The Coronavirus Action Plan can be found here.

Advice Received in School 31 March 2020

This message is forwarded to you on behalf of Ansaf Azhar - Director of Public Health England

Dear colleagues,

Please see key communications from the government since Friday afternoon:

• At the Government’s daily coronavirus briefing yesterday Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries has said that it may be 6 months before life in the UK returns to ‘normal’, and that the Government plans to have three-weekly reviews over this period.  Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said that a national supply distribution response team is delivering PPE, and shielded people will receive medicines through the community pharmacy network and food parcels for those who need them (BBC news).
• First food parcels delivered to clinically vulnerable people - The first free food boxes containing essential supplies have been delivered in England to those at highest risk from coronavirus. 50,000 free food boxes containing essential supplies and household items such as pasta and tinned goods will be delivered this week.
• Government launches new drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff - NHS staff will be first in line for a new coronavirus (COVID-19) testing programme being developed in collaboration with government and industry.  3 new hub labs will be set up, with the first expected to open at the weekend.
• Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online -  Specialist units are operating to combat misinformation about coronavirus and five to ten incidents are being identified and tackled each day.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Secretary of State to the social care workforce – thanking them for their work.
• The latest number of coronavirus cases and risk in the UK - As of 9am on 29 March 2020, a total of 127,737 people have been tested, of which 108,215 were confirmed negative and 19,522 were confirmed positive.  As of 5pm on 28 March 2020, 1,228 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

Additional guidance has been published:

• New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak - People experiencing poor mental health during the coronavirus outbreak will be offered online support and practical guidance.
• Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19) – advice and information on how to look after your mental health.
• COVID-19: advice on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing - Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people during the coronavirus outbreak.
• Coronavirus outbreak FAQs – what you can and can’t do.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers - Guidance for schools and colleges to support them in keeping children safe, including online.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) - advice for people with animals - Advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on maintaining the welfare of their animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and high blood pressure medication – no evidence that high blood pressure medication worsens infection.
• Coronavirus: guidance on access to green spaces – guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others.
• COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities - Non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals planning and preparation
• Specification for rapidly manufactured CPAP system to be used during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

The following guidance has been updated:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for staff in the transport sector - Updated with guidance on toilet and shower facilities.
• Closing certain businesses and venues – updated compliance section.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people – updated Q and A.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on school closures – updated questions.

Department for Education coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Where to find the latest information

Updates on COVID-19:

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:

Educational resources

Latest Department for Education information:

You can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus!

• Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:
• Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you feel unwell, stay at home and don’t attend work or school.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home.
• If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

Here is a video of the NHS handwashing song.

It would be a good idea to make a note of all log-ons for websites that your child uses in school, for example: Espresso, Mathletics.