Guidance across the nations
In all four nations all pupils are now back at school, including those considered vulnerable who were previously shielding.
Guidance on use of face coverings in schools
From Thursday 20 January, neither staff nor pupils will need to wear face coverings in classrooms, as part of the lifting of Plan B restrictions in England. Nevertheless, a number of schools have opted to retain masks in the classroom.
Adult visitors will also not be required to wear face coverings in classrooms.
From 27 January, face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in communal areas. Exemptions continue to apply for autistic young people who are unable to wear face coverings.
In Scotland, pupils/teachers in (secondary) education must continue to wear face coverings and maintaini one-metre physical distance from others when indoors. The Scottish Government is also recommending that pupils also take lateral flow (‘LFT’) tests twice-weekly.
In-depth information on your rights and responsibilities as a pupil, teacher, visitor / contractor, when visiting Scottish schools, can be found in the Scottish Government’s guidance on reducing risk.
In Wales, face coverings continue to be recommended for staff, visitors and secondary school pupils in all areas, including classrooms, where social distance cannot be maintained. Face coverings should also be worn by secondary-aged children on school transport.
Tracing close contacts
NHS Test and Trace identified close contacts in schools and education settings will no longer be expected to undertake contact tracing. If a single pupil in a specific cohort tests positive for coronavirus, the entire class or year group does not need to be sent home to isolate.
Isolation rules
Children are not required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with coronavirus, as long as they are not a suspected or confirmed case of the omicron variant. They are instead urged to take PCR tests to confirm their coronavirus status.
In Scotland, whole classes are no longer required to self-isolate when a single pupil tests positive for Covid-19 – only the closest contacts of positive cases are required to test and isolate.
Remote learning
Schools should support those who need to self-isolate because they have tested positive to work or learn from home if they are well enough to do so. They should work with families and put in place reasonable adjustments so that pupils with SEND can successfully access remote education.
Mixing and bubbles
‘Bubbles’ will no longer be used in schools. Assemblies can resume and schools no longer need to make alternative arrangements to avoid mixing at lunch.