Restrictions, Resources and Top Tips
Coronavirus continues to spread in the UK, disrupting education and placing pressure on health and social care services. As misinformation continues to thrive online, it’s now more important than ever to make sure you get your information from a trusted source.
To support your remote and home learning efforts we have compiled a list of helpful resources. Feel free to share this information with your family, friends and colleagues.
Below, we’ve also included a non-exhaustive list of top-level guidance related to education and childcare across each UK region. Due to the comparative nature of restrictions and responses, all regions have been included.
Key Safeguarding Information for Schools:
In all five regions, vulnerable children and learners should still attend school
If clinically vulnerable children (or those self-isolating) are advised to learn from home, schools should ensure they have access to technology
Schools in all five regions should follow existing and enhanced safeguarding guidance and advice, recognising that some vulnerable children may be exposed to more risk as a result of remote learning
If the nominated safeguarding lead professional is ill, another designated person should be made available to staff and children

England
England is currently under national lockdown measures with schools to remain closed until at least February mid-term. Schools will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people. Children of critical workers should not attend if a parent/carer (who is a critical worker) can work from home. Children without laptops or access to the internet in their homes in England are classed as vulnerable and can still attend school in person.
Contingency framework: education and childcare settings (excluding universities)[Last Updated Jan 2021]

Wales (Cymru)
Wales entered national lockdown and schools will move to remote learning until the 18th January 2021. Schools will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people.
Schools: coronavirus guidance [Last Updated Jan 2021]

Scotland
Mainland Scotland has moved into a temporary lockdown, with new stay at home guidance, although some Islands will remain at level 3 protection levels. The Scottish Government has released guidance intended to support a phased start to the school spring term 2021. Schools will remain closed to most children until at least the 29th January but will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools [Last Updated December 2020]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 [Last Updated December 2020]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Gaelic medium education [Last updated June 2020]

Northern Ireland
Additional restrictions came into effect on the 26th December for 6 weeks (to be reviewed after 4 weeks). Schools are to provide remote learning to pupils until the half-term break in mid-February and will only remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people.
Education Restart – Guidance for Schools & Educational Settings in Northern Ireland January 2021 [Last Updated Jan 2021]
Guidance to Support Safe Working in Educational Settings in Northern Ireland [Updated Jan 2021]

Isle of Man
The Isle of Man has now entered its second lockdown. Schools will be closed to most pupils for 21 days as of the 7th of January and will be kept open for vulnerable children and those whose parents are critical workers.
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