Asked by: Helen Hayes (Labour - Dulwich and West Norwood)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the spread of the omicron variant of covid-19, what (a) assessment he has made of trends in the levels of staff sickness in special schools and (b) steps is he taking to support those schools to stay safely open.
Answered by Robin Walker
The department understands that the Omicron variant is spreading quickly, and studies are underway to collect data to help us understand the impact, including for staff in special schools and special school providers.
The department regularly reviews workforce absence data and the latest published data as of 6 January shows that 6.2% of teachers and school leaders in state-funded special schools and 6.6% of teaching assistants and other staff were absent due to COVID-19 reasons.
As the situation develops, we will continue to review data, analysis, and advice from a number of different sources including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Office for National Statistics. We also work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care as well as local authorities and Directors of Public Health to inform our planning and response.
Since the emergence of Omicron, the department has updated the operational guidance for special schools and other specialist providers, which sets out how education providers should ensure that pupils and students who are required to isolate are able to access continued education and support. The guidance is clear that whilst our priority is for face-to-face, high-quality education for all pupils and students, if they are unable to attend then we expect their school or college to be able to offer them access to high quality remote education.
The department has re-introduced the COVID-19 workforce fund to provide financial support to eligible schools and colleges for additional staff absence costs incurred from 22 November until the February spring half term in 2022. The fund is available to support schools and colleges facing the greatest staffing and funding pressures to continue to deliver face-to-face, high-quality education to all pupils.
The government is clear on the critical importance of avoiding disruption to children and young people’s education. Schools must continue to comply with health and safety law and put in place proportionate control measures in line with our guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak. We continue to review the guidance regularly.
All secondary schools were asked to test their pupils once on-site, using lateral flow device tests, on return in January. Tests, personal protective equipment and funding to support the school workforce were provided. Secondary schools had the option to stagger the return to school for the first week to accommodate on-site testing. In recognition of the additional considerations specialist providers have to take into account when delivering rapid asymptomatic testing, additional guidance is available for these providers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings. This was updated on the 2 January 2022 to reflect the recommendation that from 4 January 2022 pupils and students in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in classrooms where they are able to do so.
We have also supported nurseries, schools and colleges to improve ventilation. Over 99% of eligible maintained schools, further education colleges, and the majority of nurseries have now received a carbon dioxide monitor with over 350,000 now delivered.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional support will he provide schools to ensure that they can safely open in January.
Answered by Robin Walker
The government is clear on the critical importance of avoiding disruption to children and young people’s education. Therefore, the priority is to keep all schools open. We have set out clear plans for schools opening in January.
The department has also reintroduced face coverings for all adults in schools and for pupils and students in year 7 and above in communal areas, and from 4 January, in classrooms. This is a temporary measure.
Schools must continue to comply with health and safety law and put in place proportionate control measures in line with our guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak. This includes ensuring good hygiene, cleaning, keeping occupied spaces well ventilated and following the latest public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
From Tuesday 14 December, young people and fully vaccinated adults who are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 can take an NHS rapid lateral flow test every day for seven days and continue to attend their school or college as normal unless they have a positive test result.
Every child aged 12 and over is eligible to receive the vaccine. Healthy 12 to 15-year-olds can have a second dose 12 weeks after their first dose. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced the acceleration of our COVID-19 booster programme to offer every adult in England a booster jab by the end of 2021 to protect people from the Omicron variant.
Testing remains important in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 within schools and colleges. All secondary schools have been asked to test their pupils once on-site, using lateral flow tests, on return in January. Tests, personal protective equipment, and funding to support the school workforce will be provided.
Secondary schools have had the option to stagger the return to school for the first week to accommodate on-site testing.
The department has also supported schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve ventilation. The department has also provided CO2 monitors to state-funded schools, colleges and nurseries backed by £25 million in government funding. Over 99% of eligible maintained schools, further education colleges, and the majority of nurseries have now received a carbon dioxide monitor with over 300,000 now delivered. The government is also making available at least 7,000 funded air cleaning units for poorly ventilated teaching spaces where quick fixes to improve ventilation are not possible.
Additionally, the department has put in place support to help schools facing workforce shortages. This includes calling on former teachers with the time and skills to return to the classroom and re-introducing the COVID-19 workforce fund to provide financial support to eligible schools and colleges for absence costs incurred from 22 November until the spring half term.
Finally, to ease some of the burden there will also be a short temporary break from Ofsted inspections during the first week of term. Ofsted will also encourage providers that have been hit badly by COVID-19 related staff absence to ask for a deferral in planned inspections, and have confirmed that they will not ask school leaders to participate in the delivery of inspections for the spring term.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the mass movement of students at the end of the Christmas term on the spread of covid-19.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The safety of students, staff and wider communities is the government’s priority.
As outlined in our guidance to the sector, students were advised to take a test before they travelled home for the Christmas break: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses. We advised students to continue to test at home and to test before they travel back to their term time accommodation in January, using test kits issued by their university before the Christmas break, ordered online, or collected from their local pharmacy.
For those who are returning from abroad, the government has set out specific measures for people entering England with a test 2 days beforehand for those who are not considered fully vaccinated as well as testing on arrival for all. This includes measures for those who are not considered fully vaccinated, which would require quarantining at their place of residence for 10 days.
It has been impressive to see so many students playing their part by getting vaccinated. We strongly encourage all students to get both doses of the vaccine and the booster jab as soon as possible, unless they are medically exempt, to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19.
All higher education (HE) providers have plans for managing and controlling outbreaks. These have been agreed with local directors of public health and continue to be reviewed and updated based on emerging lessons and local situations. We expect HE providers to continue to prioritise the health and safety of their staff, students, and local community by putting in place measures that apply to their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the mass movement of students at the end of the Christmas term does not contribute to the spread of covid-19 in the context of the Omicron variant.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The safety of students, staff and wider communities is the government’s priority.
As outlined in our guidance to the sector, students were advised to take a test before they travelled home for the Christmas break: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses. We advised students to continue to test at home and to test before they travel back to their term time accommodation in January, using test kits issued by their university before the Christmas break, ordered online, or collected from their local pharmacy.
For those who are returning from abroad, the government has set out specific measures for people entering England with a test 2 days beforehand for those who are not considered fully vaccinated as well as testing on arrival for all. This includes measures for those who are not considered fully vaccinated, which would require quarantining at their place of residence for 10 days.
It has been impressive to see so many students playing their part by getting vaccinated. We strongly encourage all students to get both doses of the vaccine and the booster jab as soon as possible, unless they are medically exempt, to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19.
All higher education (HE) providers have plans for managing and controlling outbreaks. These have been agreed with local directors of public health and continue to be reviewed and updated based on emerging lessons and local situations. We expect HE providers to continue to prioritise the health and safety of their staff, students, and local community by putting in place measures that apply to their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures he is putting in place to facilitate the return of international student in January 2021 in response to increasing covid-19 related travel restrictions.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Visa concessions for those on student (or Tier 4) visas allow for the provision of online learning for students outside the UK until 6 April 2022. These visa concessions have been implemented so that students have a greater degree of flexibility on when they travel into the UK, if required.
Students should look to travel to the UK in keeping with their course requirements and should speak to their education provider to understand these. Individual higher education providers make the decision about face-to-face learning in relation to students’ learning needs.
The government is working closely with the higher education sector to ensure that providers are prepared to support students who may wish to stay in their university accommodation over the holidays due to possible travel disruption as well as international students returning in January.
In addition, the government has liaised with the higher education sector throughout the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure they have been provided with the latest travel guidance that affects their international student population.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, the UK higher education sector has gone above and beyond to ensure that international students’ physical and mental health are prioritised. The government will continue to work alongside the higher education sector to ensure international students are supported throughout their time in higher education.
Asked by: Ian Byrne (Labour - Liverpool, West Derby)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to reduce covid-19 transmission in schools (a) nationally and (b) in Liverpool West Derby constituency.
Answered by Robin Walker
The government continues to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of COVID-19. We do not yet know how Omicron’s mutations will change the behaviour of the COVID-19 virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. Omicron remains a variant of COVID-19 and can be tackled using the same mitigations that have proven effective against previous variants. This includes vaccination, testing, hand hygiene, ventilation and other measures. There is no current evidence to suggest that we need to change our approach to managing variants, including Omicron.
All eligible staff and students aged 12 and over are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters. Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch COVID-19 and less likely to pass it on.
The government’s testing strategy continues to help to break the chains of transmission of COVID-19 in schools and colleges by identifying asymptomatic positive cases quickly so that those who test positive can self-isolate. This helps to reduce transmission of COVID-19, keeping pupils and students in face-to-face education.
The department has asked all secondary schools to prepare to test their pupils once on-site on return in January. We understand that this is a significant additional ask but testing continues to play a vital role in keeping COVID-19 out of schools. Testing all pupils in school boosts testing participation and will help reduce transmission after a period of social mixing over the school holidays.
In primary schools and early years settings, the department recommends that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in communal areas. In secondary schools and out-of-school settings, the department recommends that face coverings are now worn by all pupils (children who were aged 11 on 31 August 2021), staff and visitors in communal areas unless they are exempt.
The department has started to provide CO2 monitors to state-funded education settings, including early years, schools and colleges, backed by £25 million in government funding. Letting fresh air into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains virus particles and is important in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The new monitors enable staff to identify areas where ventilation needs to be improved and provide reassurance that existing ventilation measures are working, helping balance the need for good ventilation with keeping classrooms warm.
The contingency framework gives directors of public health a range of flexible options for advising temporary measures in certain situations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-restrictions-in-education-and-childcare-settings. In all cases, directors of public health should weigh any benefits in managing transmission against any educational drawbacks.
The department expects schools to follow the control measures set out in the guidance, continuing to comply with health and safety law. Schools must regularly review and update their risk assessments.
The measures outlined above apply nationally. There are no additional measures that apply to Liverpool West Derby.
Asked by: Kieran Mullan (Conservative - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to record school absence as a result of covid-19 isolation requirements.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Educational Setting Status Form (EdSet form) collects information daily from schools and colleges, including on attendance and closures during the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes how many pupils or students are absent due to COVID-19 related reasons, including a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
On 30 November, the government introduced targeted measures to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, including the requirement for all contacts of a suspected or confirmed Omicron case to self-isolate, regardless of their age or vaccination status, details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#what-has-changed.
In line with these changes, the list of COVID-19 related reasons for absence will be updated in the EdSet form on 7 December 2021 to include ‘Required to remain at home or isolate in line with government guidance.’ Pupils or students required to self-isolate after coming into contact with a suspected or confirmed Omicron case should be recorded under this category.
Where a pupil has tested positive for COVID-19 schools should record this in their attendance register as Code I (illness). Where a pupil does not attend because their travel to, or attendance at, school would be contrary to guidance relating to the incidence or transmission of COVID-19 from the UK Health Security Agency or the Department of Health and Social Care, they will be recorded as Code X in the register (not attending in circumstances related to COVID-19).
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether clinically vulnerable students are able to request remote learning in higher education during high infection rates of covid-19.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The government’s priority remains to keep students and staff as safe as possible and minimise disruption to university life. We continue to work with the higher education sector to deliver this, ensuring students are able to receive a full, enriching and enjoyable experience.
The shielding programme has ended and adults previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) should follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae. It is important that everyone adheres to this guidance, but people previously considered CEV may wish to consider taking extra precautions. There is guidance for people previously considered CEV, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19. In some circumstances, people may have received personal advice from their specialist or clinician on additional precautions to take and they should continue to follow that advice.
All employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace and higher education providers should be able to explain what measures they have put in place to keep staff and students safe on campus. We would expect them to discuss any concerns that people previously considered CEV may have, including any request to change the way in which their teaching and learning is delivered.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available to protect clinically vulnerable students from covid-19 in higher education.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The government’s priority remains to keep students and staff as safe as possible and minimise disruption to university life. We continue to work with the higher education sector to deliver this, ensuring students are able to receive a full, enriching and enjoyable experience.
The shielding programme has ended and adults previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) should follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae. It is important that everyone adheres to this guidance, but people previously considered CEV may wish to consider taking extra precautions. There is guidance for people previously considered CEV, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19. In some circumstances, people may have received personal advice from their specialist or clinician on additional precautions to take and they should continue to follow that advice.
All employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace and higher education providers should be able to explain what measures they have put in place to keep staff and students safe on campus. We would expect them to discuss any concerns that people previously considered CEV may have, including any request to change the way in which their teaching and learning is delivered.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure health and social care students who are under the age of 18 and unable to receive a second dose of the covid-19 vaccine are able to complete their work placements in care homes.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government knows that vaccines save lives which is why, earlier this year, plans were set out to make COVID-19 vaccines a condition of deployment for adults in care homes to protect those who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Vaccinated people are less likely to experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, be admitted to hospital or die from it and there is evidence that they are less likely to pass the virus on to others.
The current exemption from the requirement to be fully vaccinated to work in a care home is expected to continue. This applies to those with specific medical conditions, pregnant women and those aged under 18 as set out in operational guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccination-of-people-working-or-deployed-in-care-homes-operational-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-of-people-working-or-deployed-in-care-homes-operational-guidance.
16 -17-year-olds who work in the health and social care sector, including students undertaking work placements, have been eligible for 2 vaccinations since the beginning of phase 1 of the vaccination programme roll out. Following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's announcement, all 16–17-year-olds are now eligible for 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The department encourages further education providers to work with employers to understand the vaccination requirements for students undertaking work placements in their health or care setting.
Further information can be found on the ACAS website and the guide for employers on gov.uk:
https://www.acas.org.uk/working-safely-coronavirus/getting-the-coronavirus-vaccine-for-work.