Essential information for schools

Updated 18 January 2021

• This guidance will be continually updated with both local and national information. 
• Please continue to use the DfE Helpline on 0800 046 8687 when you become aware of a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your setting. We encourage school leaders to also inform the local authority at covid19@plymouth.gov.uk
• You can also contact the local authority at covid19@plymouth.gov.uk for any Covid-19 general enquiry
• School leaders are encouraged to submit any questions about practice or information in this guide to childrensservicesresponse@plymouth.gov.uk
• Plymouth City Council will continue to email a weekly bulletin to Head teachers. Past bulletins can be found at on the Plymouth Online Directory
• Plymouth City Council will host a weekly Teams meeting to share practice and understand challenges.  To join this meeting please contact childrensservicesresponse@plymouth.gov.uk. You can watch previous meetings on the Essential Information for Schools video page.
• Local incident reporting to Plymouth City Council from September 2020
• Schools Immunisation and Screening Programme letter [79.55KB]
• Updated flow chart for incidents that schools need to report to PHE (National Institute for Health Protection) from September 2020 [1.5MB]
• Infection and transmission in educational settings: cross-sectional analysis of clusters and outbreaks in England [1.61MB]
• COVID-19 PHE and NHS Test and Trace letter to school and college leaders [112.26KB]

Updated guidance issued on 11 January 2021

The following guidance was issued on 31 December and may supercede guidance listed in the links below.

• Critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings 
• Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• Mass asymptomatic testing: schools and colleges
• What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges
• Guidance for full opening: schools
• Schools and childcare settings: return in January 2021
• Further education (FE) providers: return in January 2021
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) contingency framework for education and childcare settings
• Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
• Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings
• Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Testing in schools guidance

Summary of guidance for the full opening of schools

Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions or feedback about these pages please email childrensservicesresponse@plymouth.gov.uk