Camden schools welcome back students after summer break
As schools prepare to welcome pupils back this week, Camden Learning has been working with local Public Health teams and schools to ensure children and young people return to a safe learning environment.
With support from the Council, Camden Learning and Camden’s Public Health team, schools are working to ensure pupils can return as smoothly and safely as possible following the summer holidays.
While most COVID-19 restrictions in schools, including class and year group ‘bubbles’, have been lifted, some protective measures remain and are reflected in schools' revised risk assessments, and so pupils and families are being asked to familiarise themselves with any arrangements that are in place at their school.
All pupils are also now expected to attend school as their learning is prioritised.
Schools have been working tirelessly to prepare for the return of pupils and students after the summer holidays to ensure they can have the best and smoothest start to the new academic year.
However, we understand this will continue to be a tough time for schools, and that staff and parents or carers will have some concerns about how schools will be able to maintain a safe environment for their children. I’d like to reassure everyone that we’ve been working to support schools with their preparations to ensure pupils and staff return to a place where they can feel safe and supported. This work includes careful planning and rigorous risk assessments completed at each school.
I’d also like to say good luck to all pupils starting the new academic year and a huge thank you to all our teachers and staff who continue to work hard to support their communities throughout this time.
From September 2021, the COVID-19 guidance in schools includes:
- Face coverings: whilst face coverings will be no longer required in school, it is still recommended that pupils, staff and visitors do wear face coverings, unless they are exempt, in crowded indoor places, such as on public transport, school buses or when mixing with people they don’t normally meet. Face coverings must also be worn on the TfL network, including inside stations and parents should consider wearing face coverings where it is crowded, such as drop-off and pick-ups outside schools or nurseries.
- Self-isolation: from 16 August, the legal requirement to self-isolate for contacts of a positive case will end for under 18s, and for fully-vaccinated adults. Instead, children – or a parent or guardian – will be informed they have been in close contact with a positive case and advised to take a PCR test.
- Testing: there will be regular lateral flow testing for secondary-aged students until the end of September to pick up cases with no symptoms. After two on-site tests, these will be done twice weekly at home.
Regular handwashing will still be encouraged in schools, colleges and nurseries. Staff will also try to ensure buildings are well-ventilated.
Parents and carers can contact their schools with any questions they may have or organise a meeting with a school nurse who can speak to families privately about any concerns.