Update 4 January:
Council Leader calls for school staff to be vaccinatedDorset Council has worked closely with schools throughout the pandemic to support school leaders in undertaking risk assessments and in safely keeping children in school. Our schools have been open throughout for children of key workers and children with additional vulnerabilities.
We share the intention of our school leaders of wanting to see all our children and young people safely in school and we also share their wholly understandable concerns about the rise in the numbers of people testing positive with Covid19. The Dorset Council area figures remain some of the lowest in the country, in the Dorset area cases for all ages stand at 259 per 100K. However, we are in Tier 3 and it is essential that everyone follows the government guidance to support our communities remaining safe.
Leader of Dorset Council Spencer Flower said: “We are proud of our schools and our school leaders in Dorset and will continue to support them in risk assessing and delivering safe environments for our children and campaign to see all school staff prioritised for vaccination as soon as possible.
“Schools have remained open, and this is Government policy. We have seen limited transmission in schools so far, and outbreaks and response to positive cases have been well managed with all partners clear on what needs to happen under our outbreak management plans. The phased return is being used to enable secondary schools to get ready to use rapid testing for returning pupils, with teachers tested regularly throughout term. Infection rates remain low relative to older ages – the exception is the 15-19 age group where there are higher infection rates.”
Parents and carers will not be fined at this current time if their children do not attend school. We would encourage all to attend where they are able and will keep this under constant review.
Information posted 31 December:
In Dorset primary age pupils will return to school in the week commencing 4 January. However, following a Government announcement on Wednesday (30/12) most secondary age students in Dorset will have a staggered start to term. See the official government guidance.
Schools with secondary age pupils will remain open, as they have throughout the pandemic, for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children, which includes pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans. Find out more about who is included.
Other secondary students in exam years (Years 11 and 13) will return to school in the week commencing 11 January. All secondary students in other years (Years 7-10 and Year 12) will return in the week commencing 18 January. This timetable applies to all students at secondary, middle and upper schools in Dorset.
Students who are starting face-to-face learning in a staggered way will be expected to learn remotely from the 4 January. Your school will be in contact with more details.
As mentioned above, children who have EHC (Education Health and Care) plans can attend school from the week commencing the 4 January. Special school and learning centres in Dorset will also be open from the week starting 4 January. However, attendance at special schools is not compulsory in the first week of term, although it is encouraged, see the government guidance above.
School Transport
School transport will run as normal from the 4 January.
Exams
Vocational exams such as BTECs will take place as planned in January.
Schools with secondary age students will be preparing to test pupils for Coronavirus from the week starting 11 January, as part of efforts to manage the pandemic. Pupils of primary age will not be tested at this time.
