15th June 2020
Primary schools to have flexibility to bring back more pupils
We have updated section 4 of our planning guide for primary schools to provide information on how primary schools can welcome back additional pupils this term, if they have capacity. The guide has also been updated to include information on inviting pupils in for face-to-face meetings before the summer holidays.
You can read the full update to section 4 of the planning guide for primary schools here:
Update to secondary school and further education provision from 15 June
We have updated our guidance on secondary school provision to reflect the fact that, in addition to secondary schools welcoming year 10 and year 12 pupils for some face-to-face support, where possible, schools may invite pupils in other year groups in for a meeting before the end of this term, where it would be beneficial.
Colleges and other further education settings can also invite students who are under 19 years old for a face-to-face meeting before the end of the summer term, where it would be beneficial.
Where schools and colleges are able to offer these meetings, they should ensure they can happen in line with the secondary school provision guidance or the guidance for further education and skills providers (as appropriate), and the wider protective measures guidance.
The full guidance on secondary school provision from 15 June can be found here:
The full guidance for further education and skills providers can be found here:
The guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings can be found here:
Safer travel guidance for passengers
From today it is the law that you must wear a face covering when travelling in England on public transport including a bus, coach, tram or train. Where travel with children is necessary, such as to an education setting, consider whether children could walk or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer, where appropriate. The law requiring passengers to wear face coverings does not apply to children under the age of 11. Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3, for safety.
Children, even if they are over 11, are not required to wear face coverings on school transport. School transport is that provided by local authorities, academy trusts or schools for the specific purpose of transporting children to and from their home and school.
The Department for Transport’s guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
Guidance on planning a curriculum to teach at school and at home
Following our update last week to the case studies on remote education during the coronavirus outbreak, we have now updated our guidance to include information about planning a curriculum to teach at school and at home.
We have also published guidance around how schools are considering which subjects and topics to prioritise for face-to-face, classroom-based teaching and which are best suited to remote study.
The guidance on planning a curriculum for remote education during the coronavirus outbreak can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-a-curriculum-to-teach-at-school-and-at-home
The examples of experiences and practices of teachers and school leaders can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supporting-staff-in-curriculum-planning-for-a-phased-return
Guidance on deciding what to teach in the classroom and what to teach at home can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-the-most-of-reduced-classroom-time
Updated guidance on awarding qualifications in summer 2020
In an open letter to Heads of Centre that Ofqual published on 12 June, they discuss grading for GCSEs, AS and A levels this summer, as well as what to expect for results in August and appeals. The letter also discusses their continuing work on an autumn exam series and assessments in 2021.
The letter can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualifications-in-summer-2020