Risk Assessment
For the start of the academic year 2021/2022 all schools within the Central Region Schools Trust completed a comprehensive risk assessment following the DfE Operational Guidance to schools set out on 27th August 2021 and this has been updated for January 2022 schools’ return. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated as required with new information and legislation. The following control measures have been implemented within all our schools :
- Ensuring good hygiene for everyone
- Good hand cleaning hygiene
- Respiratory hygiene measures
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when situations require
- Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes, using standard products such as detergents
- Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated
- Following UK Health Security Authority (UKHSA, was Public Health England) advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19 when an individual develops COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive test
- Asymptomatic testing on site for the start of the new academic year (Year 7 and above) and encouraging twice weekly LFT testing at home for staff and pupils (Year 7 and above)
- Confirmatory PCR tests – schools will follow the latest government guidance on confirmatory PCR tests https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection following a positive LFD test.
- Ensure all additional activities and events e.g. trips have a bespoke risk assessment to ensure that COVID-19 controls measures have been identified
- The government announced on 2nd January 2022 that face coverings should be worn by secondary age pupils and visitors in classrooms and learnings spaces in addition to the previous announcement that face coverings should be worn by pupils and students in year 7 and above (which would be children who were aged 11 on 31 August 2021), staff and visitors in communal areas, unless exempt. Pupils and students in year 7 and above in these settings must also wear a face covering when travelling on public transport and should wear it on dedicated transport to and from school, college, or higher education provider. These are temporary measures.
- Ensure the schools have an outbreak management plan if advised by UKHSA/Public Health England there is an outbreak within their school
Where to find the latest information
Updates on COVID-19:
Guidance for educational settings:
Department for Education coronavirus helpline
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
If you work in a school, please have your unique reference number (URN or UKPRN) available when calling the helpline.
The latest updates from Ofqual can be found here: