www.boarding.org.uk No images? Click here Dear membersThis week’s Covid-19 communication covers:
As ever the update is issued by BSA in conjunction with our partners BAISIS and ISC. BSA reminds all schools that it is not a medical, statutory or legal authority and any advice is given on that basis. A.1: What has changed Individual Governments have been issuing guidance to their schools regarding reopening, but UNESCO has also produced a Framework for Reopening Schools. Although this is aimed at Governments and education departments, it still makes interesting reading. WHO now lists 4.5 million confirmed cases, an increase of half a million since last week, with 307,395 reported deaths, compared to 274,361. In the UK, 34,636 people have now died compared to 31,855 the previous week. The thoughts of the BSA team continue to be with all those who have lost loved ones or friends as a result of the pandemic. A.2: Reopening schools in the UK No further guidance has been issued relating to other year groups, although it is intended that years 10 and 12 should have some time in school this term. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have made it clear that they do not see June 1st as a realistic date for reopening schools. Northern Ireland published a five stage plan last Tuesday, which has a limited reopening of schools at stage three, though with no indicative timescale as yet. Wales published further guidance of the next steps on Friday. The Scottish Government also has guidance on looking beyond lockdown, click here to view this. SCIS has a webpage full of links and advice for schools in Scotland. Other parts of the British Isles and Channel Islands have also issued guidance: Isle of Man; Jersey; Guernsey. A3: Reopening boarding in the UK
The existing guidance on how to deal with a suspected case of COVID in a residential setting remains in place and will be relevant after reopening too: ISOLATION PROCEDURES. The BSA CHECKLIST FOR REOPENING BOARDING has been updated today to reference some of the most recent changes and additions to policy and guidance. There is, as yet, no clear indication of when other groups will be invited back, but BSA will monitor the situation and liaise with schools as soon as any guidance is issued. All of the ISC associations are clear in their advice that, other than for children of key workers and those designated vulnerable, schools must only allow back children in those year groups designated by the Government. BSA, SCIS, and WISC continue to monitor the situation in other parts of the UK. A4: BSA COVID-SAFE CHARTER This will be a series of steps schools will guarantee to take in advance of reopening, which will aim to reassure agents, parents and children that they have taken all reasonable measures to ensure their safety. This initiative is, of course, voluntary for schools, but is intended to be a strong statement that schools take the needs of their international students very seriously. BSA is not currently in a position to publish this Charter as much depends on remaining guidance from Government, particularly around the key issue of quarantine. It will, however, be published as soon as possible. In the meantime, BSA asks schools to be very clear in their messaging around the following issues:
Advice from previous weeks relating to Tier 4 remains valid: Schools are reminded to be mindful of Tier 4 considerations when planning for both current pupils and new arrivals. The latest guidance (update as of April 20) can be found here. In particular, member schools are reminded that new immigration arrangements will apply to new arrivals from Europe who enter the country on or after January 1, 2021. Please continue to contact bsa@boarding.org.uk with any particular thoughts and viewpoints you feel need to be considered, and these can then be reflected in our checklist and in conversations with Ministers and other Government officials. A.5: Reopening boarding worldwide For schools planning to reopen, colleagues at ABSA shared their Australian guidance and colleagues at NZBSA (New Zealand Boarding Schools' Association) shared their own NZBSA guidance, as well as from their Ministry of Education and an explanation of their alert levels. NZBSA has also shared a video from a member school which was prepared to help young people anticipate how their boarding experience would change. It can be found on YouTube. A.6: Medical Matters A.6: #BSAheroes A.7: Regional guidance A.8: Inquiries If you would like further advice from the BSA, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk. Best wishes
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