No images? Click here Dear Colleagues,Dear colleagues, Things have, of course, moved on rapidly since our update last Friday, particularly since the introduction of Tier 4 measures in London and the South-East of England, as well as enhanced measures in the devolved administrations, and the international travel restrictions which followed as a result 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. SCOTLAND In Scotland new guidance has been issued today, 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 Scottish Government and has updated its Covid advice page. WALES Guidance was updated in Wales last Friday. 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 the 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 Best wishes,
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