This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Interim Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher, Karen Loft, for the attention of all education professionals.
On 07/07/21, the Prime Minister set out details of the final roadmap step (Step 4) as we transition out of lockdown. Subject to a final review of the data next week, legal restrictions will end on Monday 19 July.
When England moves to Step 4 of the roadmap, the government will continue to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of the virus. This will mark a new phase in the government’s response to the pandemic, moving away from stringent restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk. More detailed information on how the government will do this is set out in COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021.
We are changing the controls that apply in Early Years, schools, colleges and higher education institutions to maintain a baseline of protective measures while maximising attendance and minimising disruption to children and young people’s education. We have published new guidance for arrangements in education settings from Step 4, covering both the summer period and the following term, when children will return to school:
- Actions for Early Years and childcare providers during the Coronavirus outbreak
- Actions for schools during the Coronavirus outbreak
- Guidance for special schools and other specialist settings
- Assessment processes for selective school admissions
- Actions for FE colleges and providers during the Coronavirus outbreak
- Guidance for higher education providers
- Use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care
You can also read our more detailed frequently asked questions about what Step 4 means for you in our article on the Education Hub.