BSA UK lockdown update: 05.01.21 - evening briefing No images? Click here Dear Colleagues,Yesterday, the Prime Minister and the First Minister of Scotland announced new lockdown measures for England and Scotland. The Welsh Government raised the COVID level to 4 and the Northern Ireland Executive is expected to extend the period of remote learning for schools.BSA has been in communication with the DfE and devolved education departments about arrangements for boarding, with the information as we have it is contained below, but some questions remain unanswered. Further updates will be issued when new information is available. General travel adviceWhere pupils and parents wish to facilitate a return home, this is allowed. The lockdown guidance indicates that visitors to the UK may return home, and the self-isolation guidance states that those quarantining after arrival are allowed to exit their self-isolation early for the purpose of leaving the country. Please note travel advice varies between the four nations. Schools must also note the following issues:
BSA is seeking clarification on the use of LFT for international student use and about vaccinations received in other countries. The latest travel advice for the UK can be found here. EnglandThe full national lockdown guidance can be found here. Supplementary information for boarding can be found below but please note this may be subject to change. The full DfE guidance is expected later this evening/tomorrow. Those who have travelled:
Those who have not travelled:
Flexi/weekly boarding for vulnerable children/critical worker children:
Are we continuing with Lateral Flow Testing (LFT)?
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland has been under additional restrictions since December 26, which lasts for six weeks, with a review after four weeks. Further information is expected imminently about a further delay to the return to school (some pupils were scheduled to return next Monday). "Transfer Tests" scheduled for this Saturday and later in January have been postponed. ScotlandThe full 'Stay at home guidance' from the Scottish government can be found here. It states:
BSA has sought clarification for boarding schools and will communicate responses with members once available. WalesYesterday Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education, issued a statement which included the following confirmation that schools will move to online learning until January 18 at the earliest:
The full 'Alert level 4' advice can be found here. WISC and BSA will be holding briefings for members in Wales next week. GAP AssistantsAlthough the number of GAP assistants arriving in the UK this term is much smaller than normal, a good number have still travelled across the world only to find their schools closing, and themselves going straight into a full lockdown. BSA is grateful to all member schools for supporting these new arrivals, as we are to the GAP assistants for keeping to their commitment to come, and would encourage appropriate use of household and support bubble arrangements where necessary to make their lives a little easier. LetzLive Country Manager for the UK, Will Dunlop, is happy to field enquiries about GAPs, including from schools who made their own placements: w.dunlop@letzlive.org or 07368 307725. BSA Training and EventsBSA is aware that this will be a very difficult time for schools. However we remain committed to running as full a programme of training and events as conditions allow, and will circulate full details in our BSA Academy briefing later this week. 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. If you have any questions or queries, please contact the BSA Team via email or telephone. Best wishes,
|