Schools up and down the UK are officially back from summer holidays now. But while we wait to see what the return to school will do for Covid rates, what can we expect from the schools Covid testing regime, self-isolation rules, and vaccination plans for children this term?
In August Reports said that a return to school in Scotland is 'fuelling' record covid rates - and a third of schools in the Highland area have been hit by outbreaks.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scotland's deputy first minister John Swinney said there was no doubt that pupils and staff returning to school over the past fortnight had contributed to the 'unprecedented' number of cases in the country. First minister Nicola Sturgeon said she could not rule out the possibility of some Covid restrictions being reintroduced - though levels of serious illness remain relatively low right now.
With cases in England remaining high but flat, we're yet to see the impact of last week's return to school on case levels. But in the meantme, there's a lot to consider. Masks, testing, self-isolation... so how will all of this be applied in practice to reflect the new school year?
The government has issued a series of new rules and directions for back to school 2021, including that 16 and 17-year-olds offered the vaccine should take up the offer.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'I know the return to school and college this September is a huge moment for students and education staff, who have all shown enormous resilience over the past 18 months. It is the point when our focus can shift away from the disruption of covid and on to learning, enrichment and recovery.
'I have every confidence that school and college staff, parents and students will continue to work together admirably, following pragmatic measures like testing and vaccinations to minimise disruption and keep children where they belong – in the classroom.'
So what are the rules about returning to school in September 2021, regarding masks, bubbles, isolation and testing? Here's what we know in regards to England...
Do children still need to take covid tests to go to school?
As mentioned, the government has announced that senior school pupils should take two tests at school on site, and then should continue testing to be safe.
A government release says: 'As pupils will potentially mix with lots of other people during the summer holidays, all secondary school and college pupils should receive two on-site lateral flow device tests, three to five days apart, on their return in the autumn term.
'Thereafter, students of secondary age and above should be encouraged to undertake twice-weekly testing at home, as set out in the guidance from July.
'Staff should undertake twice weekly home tests whenever they are on site until the end of September, when this will be reviewed.'
The government website adds: 'Your school or college may commence testing from 3 working days before the start of term and can stagger your child’s return across the first week to manage this. Your child should then continue to test twice weekly at home until the end of September, when this will be reviewed.
Secondary schools and colleges should also retain a small on-site testing facility until further notice in case your child is unable to test themselves at home.
Will there still be bubbles in schools from September 2021?
No, the government suggested the end of bubbles towards the end of July and will no longer continue with bubbles at school.
However, the government have warned that bubbles could be brought back in at schools if deemed necessary.
'If there is an outbreak in your nursery, school, or college, or if your nursery, school, or college is in an enhanced response area, you might be advised that it is necessary to reintroduce bubbles or to keep groups apart for a temporary period to reduce mixing between groups,' says the website.
Will teachers or children have to wear face masks at school from September 2021?
No, children and teachers will not have to wear face coverings in school, but it could still be recommended in some circumstances.
'The government has removed the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet,' they say. 'This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school or college.
'If there is an outbreak in your nursery, school, or college, or if your nursery, school, or college is in an enhanced response area, you might be advised that face coverings should temporarily be worn in communal areas or classrooms (by pupils, staff and visitors, unless exempt).
'Some FE courses, such as vocational training, healthcare-related courses and the performing arts may pose particular risks of aerosol, droplet and surface transmission and may therefore implement face coverings, ventilation or cleaning in accordance with guidance issued for the relevant professional working arrangements.'
How will it work with Test and Trace and pinging in schools from September 2021?
Could children still be pinged or told to isolate if they're a close contact of someone with a positive case? Well, as follows many of the rules in wider society now, in most cases, children will not have to isolate if they are pinged or judged a close contact of someone who has a positive coronavirus test.
'NHS Test and Trace will work with the positive case and/or their parents to identify close contacts,' says the DfE website. 'This is likely to be a small number of individuals who would be most at risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the nature of the close contact. As parents or carers, you may be contacted to help with identifying close contacts.
'Individuals are not required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply: they are fully vaccinated, they are below the age of 18 years and 6 months, they have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial, they are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.
'Instead, NHS Test and Trace will inform affected individuals, children or their parents or carers that they have been in close contact with a positive case, and advise them to take a PCR test.
'Children and young people aged under 18 years 6 months who usually attend school who have been identified as a close contact should continue to attend school as normal. They do not need to wear a face covering within the school, but it is expected and recommended that these are worn when travelling on public or dedicated transport.'
Is it recommended that school children are vaccinated now?
As part of the government's back to school campaign, they have announced that students aged 16 and 17, and now all younger children aged 12-15 will be offered the opportunity to have one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Children aged 12-15 will be allowed to decide themselves whether or not they take up this offer, and instances where children and their parents disagree on this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What should I do if my child has a positive lateral flow test? Should I keep them off school with a positive lateral flow test?
Anyone with a positive test result will need to self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance (if they test positive at school, you should arrange for them to be collected) and then book a PCR test to confirm the result. They should self-isolate while awaiting the PCR result.
The government website then states: 'If the PCR test is taken within the two days following the positive [lateral flow] result, and is negative, it overrides the self-test LFD test and your child can return to nursery, childminders, school or college, as long as they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms.
How do I log a Covid test result for my child?
If your child has taken a lateral flow test, you can log the results via the Government website, here. The site will ask you whether you're logging the results for someone else or yourself, why (you can select 'to go to school, college or university') and then will ask you for the first three letters of your school or education provider's name. You'll also need the QR code or test strip ID from the test itself.
If you have done a PCR test, you can register it online when as per the government instructions before you take the test. The results will be sent to you within two days, via email and text. If your child has a positive test result, they'll need to stay off school and self isolate, so you'll need to inform the school, but test and trace should also contact them once your positive test result has been received.
What should I do if my child feels ill and I'm worried they've got coronavirus? What should I do if they get a positive test?
You should not sent your child to nursery, a childminder, school or college if they are showing one or more coronavirus symptoms or if they've had a positive result from either kind of test (see above). You also shouldn't send them if they've been asked to quarantine.
The government website adds: 'If you insist on your child attending nursery, school, or college when they have symptoms, they can take the decision to refuse your child if, in their reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19. Their decision would need to be carefully considered in light of all the circumstances and current public health advice.'
What happens about remote learning if my child is made to self-isolate from September 2021?
The government has released a 'remote education direction' which gives legal force to the requirement that schools offer immediate access to high-quality remote education where students need to self-isolate.
It adds: 'The grant funding for student internet access is demand-led, and schools can claim up to £75 over three months to provide internet connections, such as wireless routers, mobile and broadband access, for disadvantaged pupils who may need to learn remotely over the next academic year due to the pandemic. Costs higher than this may be approved where reasonable supporting information is provided.'
Can I get financial support if my child is made to self-isolate after September 2021?
There are a number of circumstances where you may be eligible for a one-off Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 from your local authority if your child has been advised to self-isolate by their education or childcare setting (even where they have not been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace).
You should be the parent or carer of a child that is aged 15 and under OR the parent or carer of a young person aged 16 to 25 with an education health and care plan. There are additional requirements, such as being on a low income and being unable to work from home. You can find out more information on that here.
Is it safe for children to return to school because of coronavirus?
The government notes that the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has made it clear that the overwhelming majority of children and young people still have no symptoms or very mild illness only.
A government release added: 'The government’s Chief Medical & Scientific Officers agree that there is a very low rate of severe illness in children from current variants.'
Can I keep my children home from school? Will I be fined if my child doesn't attend school?
Attendance for children at school is mandatory again, so you could be fined or served with legal action if you keep your child at home.
'Attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age,' says the government. 'This means it’s your legal duty as a parent to send your child to school regularly if they are registered at one.
'If you have concerns about your child attending, you should discuss these with your school or college.
'All clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people should attend their education setting unless they are one of the very small number of children and young people under paediatric or other specialist care who have been advised by their clinician or other specialist not to attend.'
What's being done about ventilation in schools to keep children and staff safe from coronavirus?
The government has announced it's investing £25 million into providing carbon dioxide monitors to state-funded education settings, helping them take action if they identify poor ventilation, or be reassured that ventilation is sufficient across their classrooms and staff rooms.
Where can I get more information on Back To School 2021 and Department for Education guidance?
Parents are encouraged to visit gov.uk/backtoschool for information and practical guidance to help them plan for their children’s return to school. More leaflets will be added in coming days around safety measures.