School arrangements - autumn term (COVID-19)
Schools and colleges remain open to all pupils in all year groups. We understand that some parents may have questions and concerns about their children attending school and we hope the information provided here will support you.
Quick links
We will update the information on these pages as guidance changes.
Is anyone in your household displaying symptoms?
If anyone in your home has become unwell with a new persistent cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in , their normal sense of taste or smell they must stay at home and follow stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, which sets out that they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should arrange to have a test to see if they have coronavirus (COVID-19). Please do not send your child to school and keep your child's school informed.
Coronavirus clearly poses a risk to the health of you, your families and local communities, so we need to work together and stick to the guidance.
Your child's education
School is vital for children’s education and we know how essential it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers. We also know that time out of school can have a negative impact on children’s learning and academic development.
Based on the latest scientific evidence schools and settings in Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland are open and have arrangements in place to minimise the risk of transmission for all and create a safe environment for your child.
When cases occur in your child’s school and your child is asked to self-isolate this disrupts your child’s education. Schools will offer your child remote learning or homework packs. Please do encourage your child to complete this work so that they can continue to make progress in their learning. Do not send your child to other settings or out of school activities if they’ve been asked to self-isolate.
Travel to and from school
Travel safety measures are in place and information is available to help children and families on the school run.
Reducing spread of virus in congested areas
A challenge for reducing the spread of the virus is congestion at the school gates. We urge parents to wear face-covering when dropping off and picking up children from school. The wearing of face coverings in congested areas and where unable to consistently maintain social distancing is seen as an effective measure to reduce the spread of the virus.
Risk to Children
Children have a lower risk of COVID-19 compared to adults and even when infected, usually only develop a mild infection. There is evidence that when children are infected, this is mainly from an adult family member in the household, and not from the education setting. There is very little evidence of children being infected by school staff. Children are less likely to need to go to hospital with COVID-19, and when they do, they usually need less serious treatment than adults.
When a member of staff is infected, the transmission is more likely from their community, someone in their household, or from other school staff.
Transmission from children
There is good evidence that even when a child is infected, they are less likely to pass COVID-19 to:
- Other children (as children have a lower risk of getting infected) and
- Adults
Back to school videos
The 'back to school' videos explore some of the changes children and young people will face and the feelings they may have when returning to school.
Frequently asked questions
The following questions and answers will help you to plan for your child’s return to school.
Attending school
- Does my child need to wear a face covering when they attend school?
- How safe is it for my child to attend school?
- My child is very anxious about attending – what support is on offer
- Do I have to send my child back to school?
- If my child is unable to attend, how will their absence be recorded?
- Will my child continue to get free school meals / vouchers
- Is my child required to wear school uniform?
- Will breakfast clubs and after school provision continue?
- Can I take my child on holiday abroad during the school holidays?
- What do I do if my child's class or group is asked to isolate?
Developing symptoms
- Can my child go to school today?
- My child has symptoms at home - what should I do?
- My child has symptoms at school - what will happen?
- Hygiene and staying healthy