Dear Colleagues,

Last night the ISC released the following alert (please note the detail included is also applicable to state boarding schools):

Further DfE information on January COVID testing in England
The Department for Education (DfE) has published further information for schools on testing all staff and secondary age pupils for coronavirus in the week of January 4, 2021. The information includes a thirty-page handbook outlining practical arrangements for rapid lateral flow testing, alongside consent forms and parental letters. A document sharing area has also been set up, where the DfE will place additional information. It currently contains a workforce planning tool. Points to note from the handbook:

• Test kits and PPE will start arriving at schools from 8am on January 4 (a member of staff will need to be present to receive the delivery). Further supplies will arrive on January 5 and 6. 
• Financial support is being made available to support schools with costs associated with testing, but unfortunately, independent schools are not eligible. Independent schools will receive test kits and PPE free of charge. Representations have been made to the Government asking them to reconsider the exclusion of independent schools from funding.
• Schools should raise queries via the DfE coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687 or by emailing RapidTesting.SCHOOLS@education.gov.uk. The handbook details opening hours over Christmas.
• Webinars will be available for schools from w/c December 21, and into January (dates TBC).

ASCL has also produced FAQs on mass testing in the first week of January. Many thanks to ASCL for allowing us to share this link.

The Government has made two major policy announcements on COVID testing in schools in the last 10 days. For clarity, on the December 15 they announced plans for weekly testing of secondary school staff and 'serial testing' of staff and pupils (daily testing of staff/pupils if they are in close contact of a positive COVID case). On December 17 came these latest plans for a staggered start to term and the testing of staff and secondary age pupils in the first week of January. Further detailed policy guidance on the December 17 announcement has also been published. 

The BSA, ISC and associations remain in touch with the Department for Education and will provide further updates as and when they are available.

ISC coronavirus FAQs
There is a coronavirus FAQs page for schools on the Member Zone of the ISC website (login required), which is updated regularly.

The BSA is working closely with the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and all member associations to provide schools with advice and guidance in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19). However, please note that the BSA nor the other associations referenced are medical, statutory or legal authorities and advice must be read in that context.

Updated BSA alert from December 22, 2020

Residential providers and boarding schools - England
The majority of secondary school year groups (including in prep schools) will not be returning to full-time face-to-face learning until January 11. The guidance remains in place that boarding houses can be open, with boarders learning remotely within the house, prior to the school reopening fully.  In England, the Government guidance and the measures on term dates and COVID testing apply equally to both maintained and independent schools.  BSA has raised with DfE the urgent need for boarding staff to be vaccinated.

School re-opening arrangements for January 2021​ - Scotland
In Scotland, new guidance has been issued, with the likelihood of further clarification relating to boarding. There will be a phased reopening leading to a full restart on January 18. SCIS has been liaising with schools and the Scottish Government and has updated its Covid advice page.

Asymptomatic testing in schools and colleges - Wales
To keep as many staff and pupils in school and college as possible, the Welsh government will be making rapid-result coronavirus (COVID-19) tests available to schools and colleges from January 2021.

Testing, along with other infection prevention and control measures such as social distancing, can ensure pupils are given the best chance of face to face education. With a phased approach beginning in January, testing will be made available to all members of staff and all pupils and students in schools, special schools and colleges.

The full guidance can be found here. 

International arrivals
The headlines about the situation in the UK are likely to impact on some international boarders who would otherwise have returned. Furthermore, although arrivals into the UK are still allowed, many airlines have altered or cancelled flight schedules into the UK as they will not be able to transport passengers in the other direction. 

In particular Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Hong Kong until January 10 at the earliest.  The situation will vary from airline to airline and pupil to pupil and is in a state of constant change,  Schools will need to check carefully with families of international boarders and to be flexible as the situation develops.

GAP and Graduate Assistants
GAP and graduate assistants arriving internationally may also have difficulties in being able to arrive on time, and schools will need to check with those they are expecting based on their individual circumstances.

BSA has been in contact with Letz Live about those who are arriving through them.  We understand that those arriving via Cathay Pacific have already been impacted and, although those arriving via Singapore, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are not currently affected, the situation could change. There is a likelihood that some will need to arrange with schools to arrive in February or even Easter.  

Letz Live has been liaising with their individual schools accordingly. Will Dunlop, Country Manager (UK) is available on +44 (0)7368 307724 or w.dunlop@letzlive.org, including for schools who have made their own appointments, should they require any assistance. BSA remains committed to providing safeguarding and orientation training for all those arriving through Letz Live, regardless of when they get to the UK.

Best wishes, 

Robin Fletcher
Chief Executive, BSA and BSA Group