Arrangements for local schools and education during the national lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a number of new measures covering schools and education as part of the new national lockdown.

Schools and colleges across England are to remain open only for vulnerable children and children of key workers. All other pupils are to continue their learning online from home. Children entitled to free school meals will continue to receive them.

Ofqual are to look at alternative arrangements for summer exams. Public exams and vocational assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned.

Early years settings such as nurseries and childminders can remain open. Parents are able to form a childcare bubble with one other household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is under 14. This is mainly to enable parents to work, and must not be used to enable social contact between adults.

Some households will also be able to benefit from being in a support bubble. Nannies will be able to continue to provide services, including in the home

Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for children, education and young people at North East Lincolnshire Council said that he was confident that schools in the area would continue to provide a good quality education for all students.

Cllr Lindley said: “We have already written to all of our local headteachers to share the latest guidance and offer support where needed.

“Our local schools managed tremendously well in the previous national lockdown and we’re working with them again this time around to put those measures back in place.

“I know that we have some tremendously dedicated teachers and school staff in our area, and they will be doing everything they can to ensure that children do not miss out on their education during this lockdown.

“Schools will be making arrangements for children who are entitled to free school meals to continue to receive them.

“I know that children and parents will be feeling a little tired and fed up with all of these restrictions but they are vital in helping us to reduce the spread of this virus.”

For the full guidance on schools and education settings, visit GOV.UK.