Devasted that Luljeta Nuzi has died after a long fight with cancer. An incredible, dynamic, fierce woman whose optimism and passion for equality for all, in education, as women, as members of refugee and global majority communities will remain an inspiration for those who met her. I first met Luljeta in 2009 when she came […]
Update on Out-of-School Settings following PM Announcement
Following the PM’s announcement on Monday 5th July 2021, the out-of-school settings guidance to reflect Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown has been updated.
The updated guidance is available at the usual links (see below). You’ll notice that there are two versions of the guidance on each page. One of the guidance documents is the current Step 3 guidance, which you should follow whilst we are still in Step 3. And then the other is the new Step 4 guidance which you should follow when Step 4 commences (due to be 19th July) entitled “COVID-19: Actions for out-of-school settings (applies from Step 4)”.
- Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Main Updates to the Out-of-school Settings Guidance from Step 4
- We will no longer advise that children are kept in consistent groups (“bubbles”). Groups can still be of any size.
- Residential visits may take place in groups of any number at Step 4. However, we are still advising that out-of-school settings do not go on any international visits until the beginning of the new school term in autumn.
- From 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. Instead, children will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, informed they have been in close contact with a positive case and advised to take a PCR test.
- From Step 4, face coverings will no longer be recommended to be worn in either classrooms or communal areas. They will also no longer be required to be worn in community premises (e.g. village halls, community centres, etc) or on public transport.
- We will no longer advise that you limit the attendance of parents and carers during sessions.
- Parents will no longer need to limit the number of settings their child attends
COVID-19 Safe Re-opening of OOSS Webinar
Interactive information session on the safe re-opening of out-of-school settings and supplementary schools based on current government guidance. FREE to NRCSE subscribers.
Sign up via the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-safe-re-opening-for-out-of-school-settings-tickets-160201118859
We offer regular updates and guidance sessions online free-of-charge to subscribers. As a charity we are dependent on subscriptions and fees to deliver and develop our services for the sector. If you do not wish to subscribe you are welcome to attend our sessions for a small fee of £25
The Department for Education’s guidance for out-of-school settings who provide activities for children, was updated to reflect Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown (from 17 May).
The updated guidance is available at:
Indoor Group Sizes
From 17 May, in line with the commencement of Step 3 of the roadmap, we are no longer recommending a specific limit on group numbers indoors. Instead, when you are considering appropriate group sizes, you should take into account factors such as the recommended occupancy levels of the premises you are operating from and levels of ventilation. See the provider guidance for more information.
Parental Attendance at Settings
We continue to advise that parents and carers should not routinely be present during sessions in out-of-school settings due to the potential increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Where parents do attend a session, you should consider the ability to maintain social distancing, levels of ventilation, and the recommended occupancy levels of the premises you are operating from.
These factors may mean that you are unable to accommodate or have to limit the number of parents and carers that are present during a session.
Face Coverings in Schools/ FE Colleges
This will only be relevant to those of you who operate from a school/ FE premises.
From 17 May, in line with Step 3 of the roadmap, face coverings will no longer be recommended in classrooms and in all communal areas for children in year 7 and above.
Face coverings will also no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms.
We continue to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible (for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas).
NB: any further updates in government guidance will be included at the information session.
How parents and out-of-school settings can take part in the Protect Duty consultation
There are only a few weeks left to take part in the ‘Protect Duty’ consultation.
First launched on 26 February and due to close on 2 July 2021, the consultation seeks views on how publicly accessible locations – including out-of-school settings – can improve their security and organisation preparedness.
The consultation will seek views on:
• who would a Duty apply to?
• what would a proposed Duty require stakeholders to do?
• how should compliance work?
• how would Government support those affected by a Duty?
It’s important to get a wide range of views to inform the development of the Duty; anyone who has an interest can take part in the consultation. When you’ve completed the form, please remember to click the ‘submit’ button, otherwise your response will not be received.
Update on Out-of-School Settings following PM Announcement
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, we wanted to provide you with a short update on step 4 of the roadmap and highlight a change to our advice on group sizes for residential visits.
Update on Step 4
· Following the PM’s announcement last night, you will be aware that the latest evidence and public health advice mean that it is not possible to move to step 4 on 21 June. It has been announced that Step 4 of the Roadmap will be paused for four weeks, while the vaccination programme is accelerated following a significant risk in the more transmissible Delta variant. A two-week review will take place on 28 June.
· It is the government’s priority that out-of-school settings can continue to deliver face-to-face, high quality activities/ tuition to all children and young people. Therefore, at a time when further easing of restrictions has been postponed, PHE have advised that out-of-school settings should continue to implement the same system of controls as laid out in Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Update to advice on residential visits
· Whilst step 4 has been paused with Step 3 restrictions continuing in their current format, we wished to make you aware that an exception has been made regarding the position on group sizes for out-of-school settings’ residential visits, which may be relevant for you or some of the providers you represent. The change is intended to bring out-of-school settings fully into line with the position for school residential visits.
The new position means that:
· Until 21 June, out-of-school settings and wraparound childcare providers should undertake overnight stays or residential visits with children in groups of no more than 6 people or 2 households (including at least one member of staff).
From 21 June, overnight stays can take place with groups of up to 30 children.
· The guidance on Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been updated to reflect this. Providers are advised to continue following the system of controls, including keeping children within consistent groups (bubbles) for the purpose of the visits, and to follow the additional measures set out in Annex B in the guidance.
| Anne-Marie Mongan | Policy Adviser | Non-School Education, Activities and Integration Unit Email: anne-marie.mongan@education.gov.ukgov.uk | Twitter | Facebook Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BT |