The DfE have published the latest advice on the use of face coverings in schools and further education. Secondary Schools guidance Where pupils and students in year 7 and above are educated, the DfE recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff, pupils and students when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained. Face coverings do not need to be worn by pupils and students when outdoors on the premises. In addition, they now also recommend that in those settings where pupils and students in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn in classrooms and during activities unless social distancing can be maintained. This does not apply in situations where wearing – Read More…

Summary The PM made a statement to the House of Commons today and set out the ‘Roadmap’ for the easing of restrictions.  The full detailed guidance is here – COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021. The PM will give a press conference at 7pm. The Government aims for everyone who is 50 and over, or at risk, to have been offered a first dose of the vaccine by 15 April, and for everyone aged 18 and over to have been offered a first dose by 31 July. The roadmap, set out in chapter 3, outlines four tests for easing restrictions:- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would – Read More…

Summary The PM made a statement to the House of Commons today and confirmed the hope that schools would ‘re-open’ week commencing 8th March 2021. The Full statement is here – Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on coronavirus: 27 January 2021 6.8 million people have received the first dose of the vaccine. All current evidence shows that both the vaccines remain effective against the new variant. On track to achieve the goal of offering a first dose to everyone in the top four priority groups by the middle of February. Government to publish a plan for taking the country out of lockdown in the week commencing 22nd February 2021. New international travel ban – ‘We have banned all travel from 22 countries where there is a risk – Read More…

We are currently working with a number of schools that are looking to achieve significant savings on the cost of insurance by moving to the Government’s Risk Protection Arrangement. What is the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA)? The RPA is not an insurance scheme but is a mechanism through which the cost of risks will be covered by government funds. It is a voluntary arrangement that was launched in September 2014 for all academies, however, as a result of the success of the scheme it was extended to ALL Local Authority Maintained Schools from 1st April 2020. Which schools can join RPA? Any school can join, including all Local Authority Maintained Schools, academies, community schools, voluntary aided, foundation and foundation special schools, voluntary controlled schools, nursery schools, community special schools and – Read More…

Summary On 12th January The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists updated their Q&A guidance for pregnant women. No change to the current guidance in that pregnant employees remain in the ‘clinically vulnerable’ category.  Work from home if possible but if not possible an employee can come to work depending on the individual risk assessment. It appears possible for schools to use the Flexible Furlough Scheme in certain circumstances – more details below. Pregnant Employees Government Guidance The Restricting attendance during the national lockdown: schools states:- Staff who are pregnant (change of emphasis – new wording in italics) As per national restrictions, staff should work at home where possible. If home working is not possible, pregnant staff and their employers should follow the advice in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for – Read More…

Summary On 7th January 2021 the Government has published new guidance for schools – Restricting attendance during the national lockdown: schools Restricting attendance during the national lockdown: schools runs to 61 pages but follows the same format as  Guidance for full opening: schools. Although the  Guidance for full opening: schools has not yet been updated it is likely to be replaced with this new guidance. There is very little change to the School Workforce section – only a change of emphasis in the first section to encourage working from home:- Under the national lockdown, the expectation is that everybody should work from home where possible. School leaders are best placed to determine the workforce that is required in school, taking into account the updated guidance for those staff who are – Read More…

Summary In an announcement at 8pm tonight the PM confirmed a third national lockdown with immediate effect. National lockdown: Stay at Home – guidance was first published at 8.01pm and the full guidance runs to 22 pages. Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open. GCSE and A Level exams are cancelled.  The guidance states at page 13 ‘In the circumstances, we do not think it is possible for all exams in the summer to go ahead as planned. We will accordingly be working with Ofqual to consult rapidly to put in place alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.’ Higher Education provision – Read More…

Further development Following our update at 11am today we have discovered that the latest guidance from NASUWT is in stark contrast to the advice from NEU. The full guidance is here – Covid-19 Update Spring Term A PDF version of the advice is here – NASUWT MEMBER UPDATE – JANUARY 2021 Key Points The NASUWT guidance is in the form of FAQ’s:- Some staff colleagues at my school have written to the headteacher to say that they will not be coming into the workplace on the advice of their unions. Is the NASUWT supporting this advice? A direction to employees to attend work will be a reasonable management instruction and failure to comply will be a breach of contract by the employees involved with potential for the employer to take – Read More…

Summary Happy New Year! On 3 January the PM told Andrew Marr that was “no doubt in my mind that schools are safe” and that the risk to children was “very, very low” and the benefit of education was “so huge”, but did not rule out further closures. The NEU have advised their members not to go to work based on health and safety concerns:- ‘The NEU’s advice to members is that it is, in our view, unsafe for you to attend the workplace at present.  We have written to all employers and all head teachers and principals giving this same advice and asking them to make preparations for a move to remote learning instead.’ ‘This advice applies to all primary and secondary schools, special schools and SEND settings, colleges – Read More…

Good afternoon, All our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to catching up with you in the New Year. From all of us at, Cook Lawyers