The ‘New Normal’

Schools have been busy over the summer putting into place the Governments Guidance for Schools re-opening. The guidance sets out the public health advice schools must follow to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission.

This means that schools review their health and safety risk assessments and draw up plans for the autumn term that address the risks identified using the system of controls (prevention and response to infection). 

Essential measures include:

  • A requirement that people who are ill stay at home
  • Robust hand and respiratory hygiene
  • Enhanced cleaning arrangements
  • Active engagement with NHS Test and Trace
  • How to reduce contacts and maximise distancing between those in school wherever possible and minimize the potential for contamination so far as is reasonably practicable

How contacts are reduced will depend on the school’s circumstances and will include:

  • Grouping children together
  • Avoiding contact between groups
  • Arranging classrooms with forward facing desk
  • Staff maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible