14th May 2020
Preparations for national thank a teacher day – Wednesday 20 May
On Wednesday 20 May, we are celebrating teachers, senior leaders, support staff and all those working in education settings who are making a difference to their schools and communities during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Department for Education is working in partnership with the Teaching Awards Trust which has produced a set of resources including a Thank a Teacher toolkit containing graphics, images and frames for social media that you’re free to use.
The Thank a Teacher Toolkit is available here:
https://thankateacher.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Thank-a-Teacher-Day-2020-Tool-Kit.pdf
Additional guidance for maintained schools, academy trusts, colleges and universities on procurement policy note 02/20
We have published guidance to help schools, academy trusts and post-16 educational establishments in higher education and further education understand how policy procurement note (PPN) 02/20 guidance applies to them. The PPN sets out information and guidance for public bodies on payment of their suppliers to ensure service continuity during and after the current coronavirus outbreak.
The additional guidance for state-funded schools can be found here:
The additional post-16 educational sector guidance can be found here:
Coronavirus testing eligibility and how test and testing kits work
Anyone in England showing symptoms of coronavirus who has to leave the home to go to work, or is aged 65 and over, is eligible for testing along with members of their households with symptoms. This is in addition to all essential workers with symptoms.
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has published guidance for members of the public and patients about coronavirus tests and testing kits, including information on the different types of tests available and how they work.
The guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work
Updated guidance from the Student Loans Company
Deputy CEO of the Student Loans Company, David Wallace, is advising students thinking about going to university for the first time this autumn to complete their funding applications online as soon as possible.
New students are being asked to submit their applications before 22 May 2020. The deadline for returning student applications is 19 June.
Applications for student finance can be made here:
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
The Student Loans Company has updated their guidance for prospective students to include guidance for those whose academic year is extended because of the coronavirus outbreak and for migrant worker student applicants.
The guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-current-students
Reminder to submit the daily online attendance return to the Department for Education
Please continue to provide information on your educational setting’s status during the coronavirus outbreak. Your data helps us build a national picture of educational provision so that we can focus support more effectively, monitor the impact of the virus, and ensure children are safe.
The online form can be found here: