This page will aim to keep education settings in Waltham Forest up to date with the latest advice and information from public health about COVID-19.
Director of Public Health, Joe McDonnell update on COVID-19
Director of Public Health for Waltham Forest Council, Joe McDonnell, has filmed a video talking about the important steps we can take as we move into the high alert level.
Guidance on providing COVID-19 test kits to symptomatic staff and students
On Wednesday 7 October 2020, the Government updated the guidance for test kits for schools and further education (FE) providers to provide further advice on the distribution of test kits for symptomatic staff and communicate how schools and FE providers can look up their unique organisation number.
The Children returning to school booklet translated
Face coverings update for schools and childcare settings
Health care workers providing support in all schools and Early Years Childcare settings will follow the agreed Infection Prevention and Control for Health Care Settings. Please allow health care workers visiting your school to follow the controls their employer has provided in their risk assessment, especially as they may interact with different bubbles within your school and also with different schools.
Guidance: suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools
Guidance for schools regarding suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.
e-Bug resources for schools
The Department for Education have recently published “Guidance for full opening: schools”, recommending Public Health England’s free infection prevention education resource ‘e-Bug’.
COVID-19 information and guidance in community languages
Key COVID-19 information and guidance has been translated into 15 languages.
Receiving personal protective equipment (PPE) information
Schools and further education institutions receiving a delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Managing confirmed cases of COVID-19 in school
Important information for schools on when to contact DfE’s helpline and when to contact your local Health Protection Team.
Responding to those with COVID-19 symptoms
Information by the Department for Education on responding to COVID-19 symptoms.
Hands, Face, Space campaign
A new public information campaign has been launched ahead of winter to highlight how everyone can help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Ordering additional COVID-19 test kits
Guidance for Schools and Further Education providers on ordering additional COVID-19 test kits.
Face coverings in school guidance
Download guidance on face coverings for primary, secondary and special schools.
Guidance for school and EY settings regarding suspected and confirmed cases of COVID19 and general FAQ’s
Updated: Waltham Forest has produced guidance for schools and Early Years settings in event of a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19.
Children returning to school booklet
Share this booklet with parents and families, so they can learn about how schools and colleges will be keeping children and young people safe, to help reassure parents and answer some of their questions.
Back to School: Communications guidance
A guide and resources to help school leaders communicate with parents who are preparing for their child's return to school this September 2020.
COVID-19 FAQs for childcare settings
Waltham Forest has produced this COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which include responses to questions that have been asked by childcare settings in Waltham Forest and answers to questions which highlight important aspects of the national guidance specific for under 5s provision.
These FAQs for childcare settings have been updated to reflect the changes in guidance that will be in place from the Monday 20 July 2020.
This document does not include questions and answers relating to the test and trace system and what to do in the event of a suspected or confirmed case.
Staff holiday and quarantine requirements
Staff holidays, quarantine requirements and the need for staff to be available to attend school at the start of the Autumn Term
This guidance is for school leaders for the management of staff annual leave in light of the requirement for returning travellers to the UK to quarantine for 14 days.
Waltham Forest Outbreak Control Plan
Waltham Forest's top priority is preventing COVID-19. The coucil have devised a plan and will be working with local partners and diverse communities to ensure all residents, organisations and businesses have the information they need to take responsible action to protect their health and our most vulnerable residents.
Teachers appraisal cycle in light of COVID19 pandemic
Should appraisals and performance management processes continue for teachers during this period?
Risk Assessment Update
Update on risk assessment following TFL update on wearing face coverings.
Access to hygiene facilities for drivers
The Department for Transport and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to reassure drivers and to remind businesses of their obligations under the Workplace regulations 1992 to provide suitable toilet and hand washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises.
COVID-19 and the youth service
The National Youth Agency report Out of Sight? Vulnerable Young People: COVID-19 Response has three top concerns:
COVID-19 and risk assessments
Management of staff and assessing personal health circumstances and availability. Complete the new assessment form.
Re-opening Ofsted registered childcare and FEE provision from 1 June 2020
Local authority's position statement with regards to re-opening Ofsted registered childcare and Free Early Education provision from Monday 1 June 2020.
SENIF process update June 2020
In light of the opening of some schools and settings and children returning to take up their Free Early Education Entitlement there has been further updates including an extension of funding for different cohorts of children.
Use of alcohol based sanitiser
The use of non-alcohol sanitisers is not effective against the COVID-19 virus.
Preparing for Reopening Guidance and Risk Assessment template
The Early Years, Childcare and Business Development Service have produced a re-opening plan template for private voluntary and independent sector based on Government guidance and additional best practice.
Advice to Staff visiting residents at home
The council employs a range of staff who are required to visit clients during their work. Before carrying out a visit, staff should call the client and ascertain.
Monitoring Vulnerable Children – Early Help – COVID 19
In response to enquiries made by schools, Early Help has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.
Monitoring vulnerable children – Safeguarding in Education – COVID 19
In response to enquiries made by schools, Safeguarding has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.
Monitoring Vulnerable Children -BACME- COVID-19
In response to enquiries made by schools, BACME has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.
Quick Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance
Directors of Public Health across London agreed that a suite of common, London-branded resources for use across the system would be useful in order to reduce duplication of effort and to ensure consistent messaging across London.
Promoting learning at home during school closures
As we are aware, children won’t be in school for some time, and it will be longer before they return to normal. We can continue children’s education at home.
The Education Endownment Foundation (EEF) have looked at research to help teachers achieve the best for the children they teach.
COVID-19 testing extended to all essential workers
The Government has launched a National Testing Programme that provides COVID-19 tests to critical workers or symptomatic members of their household.
Financial support for education settings - COVID 19
Waltham Forest has produced a summary of published DfE guidance on relevant funding and financial measures to support schools during COVID-19.
Update - Government guidance on the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme State-funded schools
The government has put in place a number of funding and financial measures to support organisations during COVID 19 outbreak.
School funding: Exceptional costs associated with COVID 19
DfE have produced guidance on funding available to schools to support them with costs associated with COVID-19.
Financial support for education and impact on suppliers - COVID 19
Guidance from DfE on the payment of suppliers during COVID-19.
Important information for Early Years providers regarding COVID-19
Information for Ofsted registered Early Years and Schools Nursery Class providers.
A range of information for Ofsted registered Early Years and Childcare providers and schools delivering Free early education places relating to the potential impact of Covid 19, including children’s learning, staffing, finance and supporting vulnerable children/families.
Safeguarding and Remote Education during COVID 19
The DfE has produced guidance is to help schools and teachers support pupils’ education at home during COVID-19.
Remote education during COVID 19
DfE information, guidance and support for teachers no remote learning during the coronavirus outbreak.
Furloughing After School Club and Breakfast Club staff
Waltham Forest Schools HR has produced the briefing to clarify the Government and Local Government Association (LGA) position on furloughing school staff.
Support to disadvantaged pupils – Waltham Forest Focused Solution
David Kilgallon wrote to headteachers to update them on the range of support to disadvantaged pupils during COVID 19 and explore with system leaders, what a Waltham Forest focused solution could look like.
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - COVID 19
Information for providers about managing initial teacher training courses impacted by COVID 19.
Stonewall - Best practice, toolkits and resources
Stonewall have recently launched new resources for schools, colleges and settings.
Updates from GOV.UK
Today's changes include closure of educational settings, school closures and keeping children safe in education.
Guidance supporting children in setting
The Early Years, Childcare and Business Development Service have put together a brief guidance to support children in settings.
Daily monitoring returns
Waltham Forest schools are requested to use the new monitoring spreadsheet which will be sent by the Education Performance and Information Team. This is in addition to reporting the numbers attending to the DfE.
Latest updates from GOV.UK
Updates regarding school closures, guidance on vulnerable children and safeguarding in schools
School Meals Guidance
Following the COVID-19 guidance on free school meals sent out by the Government, Waltham Forest has produced the following guidance to support schools in the borough in meeting their obligation that every eligible child has access to food throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic.
26 March 2020: Daily updates from Department for Education
Today's updates from Department for Education.
25 March 2020: Daily updates by Department for Education
Today's document update from the Department for Education.
Envirocure temporary closure
The council has been informed by Envirocure that there will be undertaking a temporary closure during the Lockdown Period.
Support from the Key
The Key have launched a resource free to schools. This Hub of information shares a host of information on COVID-19.
Latest advice from the DfE for educational staff
Information regarding critical workers, exams and grades and funding support for schools.
Reducing infections in schools guidance
Waltham Forest have devised a guidance to reduce infections in schools. The guidance includes guidance on general sanitising, hand washing, social distancing and cleaning after a suspected or confirmed infection.
Changes to attendance recording and daily online return to DfE
From Monday 23 March, educational settings will need to temporarily change their attendance recording practices. To minimise the burden on settings and ensure that only the most important information is submitted
Local Government Association closure of schools guidance
Local Government Association have put together a guidance to support schools and councils to make decisions and manage the workforce implications for both teachers and school support staff as a result of the closure of their schools by the school day on Friday 20 March.
London Grid for Learning taking measures to support schools
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is taking measures to support schools during this difficult period.
Guidance on maintaining educational provision
Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision.
Temporary Children Family Centres suspension
Children and Family centre Partners, including Lloyd Park Children’s charity, NELFT, HENRY Citizen Advice in partnership with the local authority have made the decision, in light of COVID-19, to move services from face-to-face contact to a remote service.
COVID-19: Free school meal guidance
Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19: Working from home
Update from National Joint Council regarding working from home for local authority staff.
COVID-19: Bill Guidance-meeting statutory SEND requirements
Department for Education guidance on the requirements for meeting statutory SEND requirements in light of COVID-19.
Ofsted suspends all routine inspections
The Secretary of State has allowed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.
Latest advice on COVID-19
This is updated guidance (16 March 2020) for education settings on coronavirus (COVID-19).
Latest advice on COVID-19
Latest advice, number of cases in Waltham Forest and DfE advice line update.
Teaching resources on hygiene
GOV.UK have published teaching resources for childcare and educational settings on hygiene.
Latest advice on COVID-19
Latest advice for schools and educational settings regarding COVID-19.
Covid -19: Advice for schools and educational settings
As of Tuesday 25 February, the latest advice for returning travelers.
Coronovirus advice for all early years providers and schools
Additional advice regarding Coronavirus – Advice for all early years providers, schools and further education providers.
Update on the Coronovirus
Public Health briefing for education settings on the Coronavirus.