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 There remains much speculation about a UK lockdown exit strategy, but no confirmed thoughts from the UK Government as yet. Last week the UK had 16,060 reported hospital deaths, and this has risen to 20,732 by this morning (April 27), indicating that the rate of increase has plateaued. WHO figures indicate that the world is approaching 200,000 deaths and that 90% of daily deaths are currently within Europe and the USA. A.2: Contingency for schools restarting and for reopening boarding BSA has remained in regular contact with the UK Government, but there are no indications of a proposed “restart” date. BSA considers it is imperative for all members which currently remain closed, or open only for vulnerable children and those of key workers, to begin making plans for reopening, as this cannot be achieved quickly. Even if schools reopen, there will be very different logistics for boarding houses, particularly if there is phased or staged reopening, and if social distancing rules remain. BSA has prepared a checklist for schools of matters to consider prior to reopening boarding. It is intended that member schools should tailor the checklist to suit their own circumstances, and is provided on the understanding that BSA makes no comment or assumption regarding the timescale being considered by the UK and other Governments, or any specific requirements for schools if and when schools do reopen. To download the checklist, click here. 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.3: New UK Guidance On April 24, the UK Government issued guidance on managing schools which remain partially open during the coronavirus outbreak, please visit: Managing School Premises. See Section A6 for details of other updates A.4: Tier 4 duties
A.5: Pupils from mainland China
In return, and on behalf of the UK boarding community, BSA wishes to record our sincere thanks to the team at InterGreat for their fantastic effort and are proud to call them #BSAheroes. As ever, if colleagues have particular matters, concerns or information to share with BSA relating to pupils from other countries, please email us at bsa@boarding.org.uk. A.6: Updated and previous guidance
The Scottish Government issued the following: The Welsh Government advice is below: In England, the Department for Education produced updated safeguarding guidance on March 27, and BSA has subsequently received some advice from our online safety expert Karl Hopwood, who has interpreted parts of the guidance relating to online safety and distance learning. Karl’s advice sheet can be found on the BSA website. In addition to Karl’s guidance, there is further information on the SWGfL website and for ISBA members in their members' area. A.7: Accommodation for NHS workers, community support and #BSAheroes If you wish to be part of this brilliant campaign please could we ask you to follow the instructions:
If you are able, please could you help ensure that our NHS workers can continue to do their life-saving work and to show the boarding sector is playing its part in the effort to defeat this dreadful disease. BSA is also aware that many member schools are working hard to provide facilities to the local community and many others are using school equipment to manufacture PPE for health care staff. Whatever your school is doing, BSA is very grateful for your ongoing commitment. Please continue to send good news stories to us at bsa@boarding.org.uk and nominate anyone worthy of a special mention by using the hashtag #BSAheroes. A.8: Regional guidance A.9: IICSA If you would like further advice from the BSA, please email bsa@boarding.org.uk. Best wishes
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