Government guidance for parents during COVID-19 outbreak

Updated guidance for parents and carers (2nd September 2020)

We have updated our guidance for parents and carers on what they need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This update provides information on school admission appeals, entry tests for selective schools, and exams and assessments in the autumn term.

We have also provided further information on the use of face coverings in schools and links to online resources that are available to help parents, carers and children with their mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak?utm_source=2%20September%202020%20C19&utm_medium=Daily%20Email%20C19&utm_campaign=DfE%20C19

Back to school information pack to help reassure parents

(1st September 2020)

As you welcome pupils back to school full-time for the autumn term, we have created a communications pack filled with materials to help you reassure parents. The pack includes leaflets, images and videos to share with parents on the importance of regular handwashing, advice on travelling to and from school, and adaptable assets for your school to tailor accordingly.

These resources are available to download via the PHE communications resource hub and DfE Dropbox. Versions of the parent leaflets in other languages will be available to download shortly.

Parents are also encouraged to visit gov.uk/backtoschool for information and practical guidance to help them plan for their children’s return to school.

https://showcase.dropbox.com/s/COVID-19-Back-to-School-Safely-content-Autumn-2020-8yzReowxp5v0L47hfhYUN

Updated Government Guidance

Please use the links below to see updated government guidance.

21st May 2020

Guidance for parents and carers on supporting their children’s education during the coronavirus outbreak

We have published information, guidance and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

We have updated our guidance on helping primary school aged children learn at home to include information on the wider opening of educational settings.

The guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-primary-school-children-continue-their-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Guidance for parents and carers as schools and other education settings in England open to more children and young people

We have published guidance for parents and carers on the opening of schools and other education settings to more children. This guidance provides information on when and how we will open education settings to more children.

The guidance can be found here:

· https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Government Stay at Home Guidance

Staying alert and safe (social distancing)

Published 11 May 2020

Please see the following document about protecting different groups of people.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing#clinically-vulnerable-people

Guidance for parents and carers on supporting their children’s education during coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department for Education have published information, guidance and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Guidance on helping children aged 2 to 4 learn at home can be found here:

· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-aged-2-to-4-to-learn-at-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Guidance on helping primary school aged children learn at home can be found here:

· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-primary-school-children-continue-their-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Guidance on helping children with special educational needs and disabilities learn at home can be found here:

· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-with-send-continue-their-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Updated guidance for parents and carers on the closure of educational settings

The guidance from the Department of Education for parents and carers on the closure of educational settings has been updated with additional information on the support available for parents, online educational resources and support for vulnerable children.

The guidance can be found here:

· https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Where can I go to get support to help keep my child safe online?

There is support available to keep your child safe online. Below are some useful links to help parents and carers:

Thinkuknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Net-aware (support for parents and carers from the NSPCC)
Let’s Talk About It (support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation)
UK Safer Internet Centre (tips, advice, guides)

Handwashing advice

It is essential that everyone washes their hands more often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing with soap employs mechanical action that loosens bacteria and viruses from the skin, rinsing them into the drain. Drying hands afterwards makes the skin less hospitable to the virus. Hand sanitiser can be effective if soap is not available or the situation makes using soap less feasible (i.e. when outside) but using hand sanitiser provides none of the virus-destroying friction that rubbing your hands together and rinsing with water provides.

The latest guidance and video on hand washing can be found at:

· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

The e-Bug project is led by Public Health England and has a dedicated webpage for learning resources on hand washing and respiratory hygiene.

Resources are currently available for KS1, KS2 and KS3 and can be used in various settings including schools and at home:

· https://e-bug.eu/