Director's Message - 19th October 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As we move towards the half term break I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff on behalf of the Local Authority for the dedication in maintaining educational provision during these unprecedented times.

With the move to being on Covid high alert, could I request that staff continue to remind parents that they must keep all children out of school if they are waiting for their results. Failure to do this has a direct impact on schools when there is a positive case, and where the disruption caused to bubbles could have been minimised.

Please continue to access our full update on Covid guidance, including how schools should continue to ensure protective measures via our FAQs on LEAP. Local Covid Alert information is also available via our Hillingdon Council website.

If your school has a positive case you can use the Letter for Parents of Contacts v1.0 [15KB] and Inform and Advise Parent Letter v1.0 [17KB] to inform parents.

Face masks in secondary schools

On 16th October, the DfE updated their guidance to reconfirm that when an area moves to the local Covid alert level 'high' in education settings where year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults (staff and visitors) and pupils when moving around indoors, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. As in the general approach, it will not usually be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and they may inhibit teaching and learning. Primary school children will not need to wear a face covering.

New London Pilot - LCRC Schools Resource Pack

The DfE, Local Authorities and the London Coronavirus Response Cell (LCRC) have been supporting schools with their response to confirmed cases of Covid since the return of all children to schools in September. As these have become more frequent, the LCRC recognises the need to enable schools to manage their response in a timely manner, whilst ensuring they are available to assist in managing the most complex school situations. From 9th October, PHE will be piloting schools conducting their own on-site risk assessments to manage cases of Covid in their setting. This pack has been put together to operationalise the guidance, giving schools the information and resources they need. Please see LCRC Schools Resource Pack [1MB] .

Could Headteachers please use this template [31KB] when contacting the LCRC.

This on-site risk assessment checklist [29KB] should be used for confirmed cases only.

Home learning resources

At a recent Pan-London Education Leads' meeting, colleagues from a few other London LAs shared the feedback from their schools that providing home learning for children self-isolating is more of a challenge for primary schools or small schools than secondary schools. Colleagues from all boroughs were asked to share good practice. Attached are some home learning resources from the English hub. This includes information and links to daily films for 'Lessons and Sounds' for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (Phonics Screening Check revision).

Health and Safety advice for weather conditions and school ventilation during Covid-19

Governors have questioned how schools should manage ventilation during the colder months. The LA's Health and Safety Manager confirmed that when temperatures drop below minimal levels in the classroom due to windows being open to ventilate rooms, schools will need to take a pragmatic approach. If it is not appropriate to have windows open then you should shut them, and try to arrange for adequate ventilation as and when possible to reduce the risk of transmission. 18°C is a reasonable minimum temperature for classrooms in order for staff to teach and children to learn. If the temperature is such that it starts to affect the health, safety or welfare of those in the area, schools would not be meeting the requirements of the law i.e. this would not be reasonable. The main risk controls for Covid are social distancing, regular handwashing etc. and ensuring adequate ventilation is one of many others. Ensuring adequate ventilation can be achieved in many ways, opening windows is one of them. Schools should speak to whoever maintains their heating and ventilation systems for further advice.

Head Teachers Termly

Please note that the Head Teachers Termly scheduled for the Thursday 12th November has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

School Leaders' Briefing (SLB)

This fortnight's SLB articles are:

Hillingdon Young People Thrive - 16-25 Covid-19 response FREE webinars
Reminder to Pupils aged 11+ to wear face coverings on public transport
Early Years Funding - Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Update on the Year 2 Phonics Screening - Autumn 2020
School Workforce Census
Community Schools Admissions Arrangements Consultation
Newly Qualified Teachers - Hillingdon Schools Appropriate Body Offer
FREE Workshop on countering Far Right Extremism
Participation Team Leader Appointments
Prepping for mandatory RSE for teachers - FREE training
L&D Training - Webinar Programme for Schools
The show goes on - virtual pantomime
Is Music Safe?
Music Lessons for Budding Young Learners

Please continue to email the Education Team via education@hilingdon.gov.uk for any support.

Regards,

Dan