COVID-19 FAQs for schools – updated 24 March 2020
Read our FAQs below.
24 March 2020
Is there a requirement for all providers to assume they should stay open?
We are asking schools, colleges, nurseries, childminders and other registered childcare settings to remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children where they can.
We understand that some may be unable to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages. We will work with local areas to use neighbouring schools, colleges and childcare providers to continue to support vulnerable children and children of critical workers.
Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.
Will LAs have power to direct cooperation from schools?
Under clause 36 of the Bill, we have taken a power for the Secretary of State to require a relevant provider, including a school to remain open or re-open for continued provision and / or to provide education, training, childcare or related or ancillary service. This power can be delegated to local authorities, and we expect that it will be as they are best placed to assess the response needed on the ground.
When will the definition of Critical Workers be clear so LAs can define the scope of children?
Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.
If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:
– Health and social care
– Education and childcare
– Key public services
– Local and national government
– Food and other necessary goods
– Pubic and national security
– Transport
– Utilities, communication and financial services
More detailed definitions to be found in the guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Will there be reimbursement to schools for additional costs associated with current situation?
We recognise that schools are likely to face extra costs, and, with HMT, we are discussing a new mechanism to make sure that schools are funded for reasonable additional costs that they face as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. We will publish details shortly. We will ensure that schools have received the funding the need during the coming financial year. We will put in place new measures to reimburse schools for reasonable, additional costs that they face in order to stay safely staffed as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Funding for all schools and colleges (including maintained and academy special schools, non-maintained special schools, independent special schools, pupil referral units, general further education colleges and special post-16 institutions), whether from local or central government, will be maintained and not reduced because many pupils are not in attendance (either because of self-isolation, or where the institution has closed). This includes top-up funding in respect of individual children and young people, which will still be needed by the school to keep their staff in employment.
Do these measures apply to special schools?
We recognise that children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and their parents and carers are facing numerous challenges as a result of coronavirus. We are encouraging local authorities to keep open both residential special schools and residential specialist colleges wherever possible. In addition, we want to keep the majority of day special schools and colleges open, including moving staff into these settings to avoid closure.
Special schools, colleges and local authorities are advised to make case by case basis assessments of the health and safeguarding considerations of pupils and students on an education, health and care (EHC) plan. For some, they will be safer in an education provision. For others, they will be safer at home. We trust leaders and parents to make these decisions and will support them as required.
Would like more clarity about FSM including finance available – what about children of parents who lose their jobs during this time or those who do not have a guaranteed income?
Under normal circumstances, schools are not expected to provide free school meals to disadvantaged children who are not attending due to illness or if the school is closed. We expect schools to continue to provide support to these pupils if:
- they/or a family member are affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
- your school is only open for certain groups or is closed temporarily
Schools and local authorities should continue to accept free school meal applications from parents/pupils. The Department will continue to provide access to the Eligibility Checking System to support schools and local authorities in verifying and awarding free school meals. The eligibility criteria for free school meals can be found here.
When will there be more detail on the FSM scheme and when will it start?
Effective immediately, schools can order vouchers to be emailed or posted to families who would normally receive FSM. More detail on the scheme can be found on gov.uk:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-set-out-to-support-pupils-eligible-for-free-school-meals
Will the FSM voucher scheme be flexible so schools can continue to use their own providers?
You should speak to your school catering team (in house), or school catering provider to see if they can prepare meals or food parcels that could be delivered to or be collected by families.
If you use a local authority catering service, you should check if they have a scheme for providing meals or food parcels to vulnerable groups affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you use a private catering provider, contact them to see what alternative arrangements are available.
If you are unable to use your current provider to continue offering free school meals, consider:
- using other local initiatives – this could be a local school acting as a community hub, or a local charity
- providing families with supermarket vouchers
Supermarket vouchers:
We are currently developing a national approach to providing support through supermarket and shop vouchers. We will provide further details shortly.
If your school is closed and your school catering team cannot provide meals or food parcels, you should offer families of pupils eligible for free school meals an alternative.
You can order supermarket and shop vouchers directly from a number of retailers – usually through their corporate division. We recommend sourcing vouchers for supermarkets or shops in the local area. Where possible they should be restricted for use against age-related products.
You’ll get a choice of:
- e-vouchers (where available) – which you can email directly to parents
- gift cards – which may be more suitable if parents do not have access to the internet
You should check which pupils are eligible and currently in receipt of free school meals, and vouchers should be made available to the parent or the adult with caring responsibility for that child.
Worried about Free School Meals vouchers given the number of empty shelves? What if the local supermarkets are out of stock – does that mean children will go hungry?
The government has been in regular contact with the food industry and retailers on their response to coronavirus, building on the well-established systems already in place with the industry to make sure it is prepared at all times to deal with a range of scenarios.
To help supermarkets, government has already introduced new measures to keep food supply flowing. MHCLG have issued guidance to local authorities to show flexibility to allow extended delivery hours to supermarkets to ensure shelves can be replenished more quickly.
As the representatives of our leading supermarkets have said, people should continue to shop considerately. We echo their calls for people to be considerate in the way they shop and treat staff in stores. There is plenty of stock available, but if people buy more than they need then others will be left without. It’s important we all look out for our family, friends and neighbours during this difficult time.
Comments by SoS on BBC suggested a broader definition of Vulnerable Children. Will there be clarification on the scope of children within this definition?
Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care.
Will there be more detail / guidance for early years providers?
Registered early years providers, including childminders, private schools and sixth forms should also follow this guidance. We will provide financial support for these settings as required.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-colleges-and-early-years-settings-to-close
Will there be financial support for schools to keep on staff over the Easter Holidays. And/or changes to T&Cs
We will put in place new measures, to reimburse schools for reasonable, additional costs that they face in order to stay safely staffed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Funding for all schools and colleges (including maintained and academy special schools, non-maintained special schools, independent special schools, pupil referral units, general further education colleges and special post-16 institutions), whether from local or central government, will be maintained and not reduced because many pupils are not in attendance (either because of self-isolation, or where the institution has closed). This includes top-up funding in respect of individual children and young people, which will still be needed by the school to keep their staff in employment.
Do both parents need to be key workers for a child to be offered a school place?
Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if required.
When will a decision on Y6 and Y11 outcomes be taken?
We have confirmed that we will not go ahead with assessments or exams, and that we will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year.Later today, we will provide greater clarity on how students and young people will be awarded the examination results that they deserve.
The latest updates from Ofqual can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-statement-on-coronavirus
Will Easter holiday playschemes etc cost be refunded centrally?
We will be working through the detail over the next few days and discussing with the sector. We will want to ensure that schools are covered for their reasonable additional costs, and will publish details shortly
Will insurance costs be refunded centrally?
We will be working through the detail over the next few days, and discussing with the sector. We will want to ensure that schools are covered for their reasonable additional costs, and will publish details shortly.
How do we ensure we can sustain provision for our own students when we are taking responsibility for children in other schools?
In these challenging times teachers are trained and used to different groups of students. Alongside this there will be a need for some teachers to manage online tuition as well. Some of the larger trusts may put out guidance for supporting both pupils in other schools and online.
23 March 2020
Can I admit any child who turns up this morning?
The message is that everyone is safer at home. Children with EHCPs, with a social worker and of key workers, may attend.
What do I do if children I am expecting do not turn up?
The school should contact parents by phone or email and continue to chase responses. It remains a parents responsibility to get a child to school or ready for LA transport.
I am concerned what to do if one of my two First Aid at Work qualified staff becomes ill. Normally, we need to have a FAW qualified person on site to safeguard staff (ratio 1:50). What happens if neither are available, especially as it is likely that an ambulance would take much longer to arrive than normal. Should we still open? Paediatric first aid is less of an issue.
All schools when open in any capacity must have a DSL and a qualified First Aider. Rotas should include both every day. If either are not available, then the school cannot open under current legislation.
If we do have to close for any reason, how do we best share safeguarding
concerns with other schools?
Although a school may close, staff are still employed to work and via a named contact, which will be the Head unless we are told differently, the LA will ensure information can be shared.
If we do not believe that the government guidance regarding Key Worker entitlement to school care is being followed, do we have the right/ability to turn children away? Recognising that this would be a last resort.
You know your families best. You may challenge. The message is that children and staff are safer at home.
Does the LA have any appropriate masks for staff who have to come into contact with children who say they are not feeling well once they are in school eg to check the child’s temperature etc. We have tried online & obviously can’t get hold of any. Rightly so staff are saying we also need to be protected. Also do you have any additional thermometers – Radar thermometer? And wipes for cleaning keyboards & surfaces? Can these be dropped to us? How soon?
This question has been raised with the government today. See next question.
What do I do if a child or teacher falls ill with the virus symptoms at school?
You must phone PHE immediately. As of Friday, the advice was that the school must close until deep cleaned in the areas that the person went to. All people, including staff who came into contact with that person must go
into isolation for two weeks, including their families. Depending on numbers, parents must be written to or contacted by email or phone. A message should go on the website.We must reduce the risk of spreading.
If children are accessing schools that are not local, will transport be provided?
Where children receive support from a social worker the LA will review transport arrangements and make appropriate provision for children to reach school safely.
We are closing over the Easter period – agreed with my Chair. Do you have another provision that I can advise my parents of if they wish to send their children in during this period? We have approximately 33 children in & out over different days. Generally it’s about 15 – 20 kids a day from nursery (1 child) to year 6.
If a school decides to close over the holiday, then the parents of that school must be advised of the decision. It is hoped that via rotas that all/most schools will be able to open. A hub approach is being looked at.
20 March 2020
Will staff be paid?
All staff in all schools will be paid as they would normally expect. This has been confirmed by Bexley HR and the ESFA.
Do we have to enforce that EHCP and children who are supported by a social worker have to come in? What if parents choose otherwise?
You cannot force children to attend school. If the parents of those with EHCPs do not want their child to come to school, parental choice should be respected but explored, as you would usually in difficult circumstances for a family. This is an uncertain time for parents who should be aware that DFE advice that they are being prioritised to be educated. In terms of vulnerable children, those with an allocated social worker is defined as vulnerable, the social worker should be consulted to seek advice and the social worker should liaise with the family to establish a plan. EWS can provide advice on individual cases.
If we have a parent who is a key worker but only works 2 days a week does the child come into school every day?
If it is at all possible for children to be at home then they should be. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. Therefore if the parent is a part time key worker the children should be in part time.
We have had a parent say she is a key worker-education-we know she works in a school and is pregnant so will not be in school yet wants her child to come in? Where do we stand on that? Can we challenge? What questions can we ask?
The school should ask the parent to see if they are still working at the school, and if so it would be important to explain guidance is for her not to attend.
Please could you let us know Local Authority plans for provision of meals for FSM students from Monday?
The Government has suggested that it will establish universal vouchers. At this time, the school should make arrangements as provided in the DfE publication released on 19 March. The Key has produced guidance, which schools may find helpful whilst the LA explores options as a priority.
Will Harrisons be providing the lunch for FSM children and if so will this continue during the Easter break?
We will update as soon as we have information.
Do I need to ensure my staff receive a two week Easter holiday (is it contractual) or does the war footing override this?
We recognise that teachers need their break and are mindful of their wellbeing. Further advice will follow and the Local Authority is looking into a coordinated approach in order that we can do our part to keep keyworkers in employment during this tough time.
Will they be asked to provide a breakfast option in the morning? Am I able to provide a thirty minute window for the children to come in and eat?
Schools may make the provision which is best for their students. Some are establishing wrap around care, some continuing, and some stopping. There is no need to continue with additional provision, but a school may wish to. Schools are providing FSMs in variety of ways. Where there is catering on site, some are opening for half an hour a day, some are asking parents to order food via the schools website and having collections on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. Our advice remains that schools should do what is in the best interests of their pupils and to optimise uptake of whatever system they are operating.
If I have a child come in who has an EHCP and has issues around behaviour/ violence what options will be open to me?
The school should follow it’s usual policies and practices. Advice is available from the SEN Statutory Service team, who will continue to support schools during this period. In general, lines of communication with the LA and mechanisms for referral remain as they always are. Use the EIS email box for general enquiries to ensure the contact is not person dependent.
Can I refuse to take a group of children if I do not have the specialist staff to support them due to self-isolation?
The school must ensure that it has levels of staffing to ensure children are safe. If you do not, please contact your school’s systems leader.
Are we looking at a service that runs from 9 till 3?
Schools should have provision for the school’s core hours. We recognise that there may be times ahead where that is more challenging than others.
If it is a longer day how will support staff pay be affected, will they be paid for hours worked?
If a school decides to open for longer hours, staff must be paid accordingly. Teachers are bound by 1265 hours. Please keep a record of the increased costs incurred as part of your contingency planning/incident management.
Are we able to ask parents for proof that they are a key worker?
We are pulling together as a community and the request for parents to identify as key workers should be approached in this manner in the first instance, with the understanding that schools closing are to prevent further community transmission. Therefore, we are asking parents to do the right thing to enable us to protect vulnerable children and staff. If a school feels this is the right thing to do, following that conversation it is your decision as no guidance has come out at present. You will know the families better than anyone. This LA view will change with formal guidance.
What if I only have a single skeleton staff to cover my own children because the rest have self-isolated, will they be expected to work for the month?
If staffing levels fall below a safe level, please ring your school’s systems leader. We are aware that schools have key personnel that need to be present in order to operate and this can create single points of risk. We are also mindful of teacher wellbeing and welfare. Once schools can report on the extent of need, the LA will look at areas of concern and seek to co-ordinate. We will update this section as the situation clarifies.
Will my provision be available for only my children, are there implications to insurance cover?
Please await further guidance. The LA is exploring what options may be available to make the system sustainable over the coming period.
*How can we ensure safeguarding is fully informed if we go down a hub route – this is with regard to knowing the history?
Please await further updates. We are exploring what options may be possible and the processes that would need to be put in place to protect children and assure parents.
Will we need a DSL or DDSL present all the time we are open as a hub?
Yes. There is no change to current guidance. The requirement for first aid trained personnel also stands.
Will there be staff from other local schools and how will we ensure compliance checks have been carried out?
There are no plans in place at present that require this. See response to safeguarding question above *.
It is appearing that a large number of parents of children from the RP wish to send their children in, what if I cannot achieve safe ratios, there is an issue with directing mainstream staff or external staff who the children do not know, along with some specialist training that may not be present for those staff?
Parents cannot chose to send their children in. Only children eligible for EHCPs, vulnerable children and children of Key Workers may attend. If you cannot achieve safe ratios, please contact you school’s system leader.
What about pay over Easter?
All staff will be paid over Easter as they normally would.
Risk assessments if hub model is eventually followed?
Please see the response to safeguarding question above *.
Will there be consistent directives around teaching provision ? Equity?
The Headteacher is responsible for provision with the LGB/ Trustees. Where there is an appetite to share and support with resources, the LA is open to providing the opportunity for that to take place but this will not be a
directive.
What about Mental health support for teachers?
The Headteacher and LGB/ Trustees have responsibility for staff wellbeing. We are working on some practical suggestions about how you can support if remote working and schools can use their usual support mechanisms, e.g. schools HR and the confidential helpline where this is part of their SLA.
Any confirmation of information around FSM?
We are working on this and aware that schools are also seeking to find creative solutions to support these children and, indeed families. We will update shortly.
Will schools be informed of transport updates?
Yes. We have put in place contingency planning and to ensure continuity and capacity. If the situation changes, we will communicate with the affected schools.
