UK Scientists have a proposed a two-week national lockdown to take place during October half-term, according to reports.
A the R number (rate of infection) continues to rise around the UK.
The timing of this lockdown would be designed to cause minimal disruption to schools. What would this mean for schools and do you have a contingency plan? This blog post is here to help.
What is the latest with the virus?
Coronavirus cases have been doubling every seven to eight days in England, according to a study by Imperial College London and Ipsos Mori.
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has said that the rise in cases is “concerning” and new restrictions are being introduced in North East England and Lancashire is also expected to come under new measures.
Rumours of a second national lockdown have emerged from Anthony Costello, a former director of the World Health Organisation, who wrote on Twitter:
I’m hearing from a well-connected person that Government now thinks, in absence of testing, there are 38,000 infections per day. Chris Whitty is advising PM for a two-week national lockdown.
Edward Argar, a minister in the Department of Health and Social Care said:
We are guided by the science but we’re not necessarily guided by speculation in the press.
It’s not something I’ve heard from Chris. And it’s something the prime minister clearly doesn’t want to see.
Read more: schools will grind to a halt unless covid testing improves
What is the guidance for schools in the event of local lockdown?
A four tiered system in currently in operation for schools affected by local lockdown.
Tier 1: Fully open to all pupils full-time, with face coverings required in corridors and communal areas for pupils in year 7 and above.
Tier 2: Secondary schools and colleges in a restricted area to use rotas to help break chains of transmission of coronavirus. Primary schools, alternative provision and special schools remain open to all pupils.
Tier 3: Secondary schools to only allow full-time on -site provision to vulnerable children, the children of critical workers and selected year groups (to be identified by the Department for Education). Remote education is to be provided to all other pupils. Primary schools, alternative provision and special schools remain open to all pupils.
Tier 4: All mainstream schools only allow full-time on-site provision to priority groups. Remote education provided to all other pupils. Alternative provision and special schools remain open to all pupils.
How to prepare your school for a second lockdown
Remote education means your school can continue to operate even if the building is closed.
Access to education is imperative for children’s development and lost education could have repercussions in the years ahead.
EDClass has a range of features for students to remain engaged in education – one of which is a sophisticated tracking tool so teachers can monitor attendance and performance.
The only platform feature 11,000+ lessons in a range of subjects, including English, maths and science.
Further, a targeted learning pathway means lessons can be set to specific students, identifying knowledge gaps and improving their weaknesses.
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