answer text |
<p>It continues to be our aim that all pupils, in all year groups, remain in school
full-time. Returning to school full time has been vital for children’s education and
for their wellbeing. The risk to children themselves of becoming severely ill from
COVID-19 is low and there are negative health impacts from being out of school. Senior
clinicians, including the Chief Medical Officers of all four nations, still advise
that school is the very best place for children to be.</p><p>Headteachers, teachers,
and staff of schools and other education settings have been doing an extraordinary
job to remain open, keep settings safe, and provide education. The Department published
guidance to support schools to welcome back all children from the start of the autumn
term. The full guidance can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools</a>.</p><p>Schools
have implemented a range of protective measures to minimise the risk of transmission.
The measures set out in the Department’s guidance have been endorsed by Public Health
England. These measures include regular handwashing, promoting good respiratory hygiene,
keeping groups separate, maintaining distance, and minimising contact between individuals.
This can be achieved through keeping groups separate (in ‘bubbles’) and through maintaining
the distance between individuals. Schools must comply with health and safety law,
and should continue to undertake risk assessments and implement the system of controls
set out in this guidance.</p><p>The Department has received data, analysis, and advice
from a number of different sources including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
(SAGE), Public Health England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Joint
Biosecurity Centre to ensure our policies are guided by the most up to date scientific
evidence.</p><p>Recently, the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey published results between
2 September (the start of the school year) and 16 October 2020 that showed no evidence
of differences in the positivity rate between primary and secondary school teachers,
other key workers, and members of other professions. This evidence was endorsed by
SAGE. More information is available here: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/6november2020#age-analysis-of-the-number-of-people-in-england-who-had-covid-19"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/6november2020#age-analysis-of-the-number-of-people-in-england-who-had-covid-19</a>.</p><p>On
26 November, the ONS published additional analysis on the number of school workers,
key workers, and members of other professions in England who had COVID-19. This analysis
also shows no clear evidence as to whether there is a difference in the level of individuals
who would test positive for COVID-19 between teachers and other key workers. More
information is available at: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/onsstatementaddressingquestionsaroundtheanalysisofthenumberofschoolworkerskeyworkersandotherprofessionsinenglandwhohadcovid19"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/onsstatementaddressingquestionsaroundtheanalysisofthenumberofschoolworkerskeyworkersandotherprofessionsinenglandwhohadcovid19</a>.</p><p>
</p><p> </p>
|
|