Official government guidance

• Covid-19 Information Hub
• Covid-19 Update webinars
• Covid-19 FAQs
• Official government guidance
• – Admissions and recruitment
• – Finance and Human Resources
• – International students and visas
• – Regulation and the OfS
• – Student Welfare, Support and Reopening Buildings
• – Teaching and Learning
• Useful resources

Guidance on Students Returning to Campus

• The Government has updated the Higher Education providers guidance following new measures announced on 27 November in relation to face coverings, travel and quarantine. These are intended to slow down the seeding and community transmission of the new Omicron variant first identified in South Africa, which is thought to be able to evade some of the immunity protection gained from vaccines and prior Covid infections.
• A reminder that the Government has launched a new campaign ‘Stop Covid-19 hanging around’ which focuses on ventilation techniques to reduce risk during the winter.
• A reminder that the Department for Education published a toolkit containing key messages to help students travel back to university safely, information about regular testing, getting the vaccine and new information for international students returning to study in the UK.
• New guidance on contingency arrangements for exams and non-exam assessments for students taking qualifications in summer 2022.
• Michelle Donelan MP has written to providers outlining the Government’s position on face to face teaching.
• The Government has launched a new campaign ‘Stop Covid-19 hanging around’ which focuses on ventilation techniques to reduce risk during the winter.
• A reminder that the Department for Education published a toolkit containing key messages to help students travel back to university safely, information about regular testing, getting the vaccine and new information for international students returning to study in the UK.
• A reminder that the Department for Education published a toolkit containing key messages to help students travel back to university safely, information about regular testing, getting the vaccine and new information for international students returning to study in the UK.
• The Department has announced that the restructuring regime will close to new applications on 31 December 2021.
• There is updated guidance for apprenticeship delivery, including an extension to IfATE discretions and flexibilities to end-point assessment.
• Public Health England has published an MMR, MenACWY and COVID toolkit.
• The DfE and NHS have published an updated communications toolkit for COVID for providers.
• NHS England have published a Vaccination FAQs for students in higher education institutions.
• The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that the first UK manufactured lateral flow devices or LFDs are being rolled out to providers across England.
• The Department for Education has shared slides from a recent vaccine communications webinar, published assets relating to self-isolation and additional assets for the Covid-19 app.
• UUK has been asked to share slides containing resources, following last week’s DfE webinar, Covid-19 Briefing for Universities.
• The DfE published a toolkit containing key messages to help students travel back to university safely, information about regular testing, getting the vaccine and new information for international students returning to study in the UK.
• The UK Health Security Agency has published a blog with the title “11 things to remember for university this year”.
• Click here to download assets published by the DfE, on the Covid-19 app
• The DfE has published assets relating to self isolation
• The Government has published ‘Autumn and Winter Plan 2021’, which sets out that in secondary schools, further education and higher education, the Government expects that testing for students will continue for the rest of this term. It also confirms that the NHS, working with school immunisation teams, will offer a first dose of vaccine to 12-15 year olds from the week commencing 20 September. A third (or ‘booster’) jab will also be offered to those aged 50+ or otherwise vulnerable, from at least six months after their second dose.
• The DfE has published assets, newly created animation and a range of posters which can be put up around campus and include messages to encourage testing and vaccine uptake
• Public health England has published an MMR, MenACWY and COVID toolkit.
• The Department for Education and NHS have published an updated communications toolkit for COVID for providers.
• NHS England has published a Vaccination FAQs for students in higher education institutions.
• A reminder that the Department for Education has confirmed that twice weekly testing for staff and students will continue until the end of September.
• DfE’s Covid-19 Communications Toolkit for Universitites and Higher Education Institutions in England
• See the updated HE Toolkit which contains info on testing, vaccines and international students, as well as the Graduate Employment and Skills Guide and just general Covid-19 info and links to assets
• See the the accommodation prompt list and summary guidance on ventilation developed by the University Health and Safety Association.
• The Secretary of State has written to providers regarding vaccinations for young people and students, and has asked institutions to consider working with Public Health England to establish ‘pop up clinics’ for vaccination.
• As previously announced within the Roadmap, from 16 August the Government has confirmed that self-isolation is no longer required for double jabbed close contacts in England and Northern Ireland, with the same rule change having already been made in Scotland and Wales. Instead of self-isolating, those who are double jabbed and under 18s identified as close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases are advised to get a free PCR test.
• A reminder that NHS England published a Vaccination FAQs for students in higher education institutions.
• Vaccination booking for young people within three months of their 18th birthday has opened via the national booking service. Further information is also available on the accompanying press release. Vaccinations are also now being rolled out locally to all 16 and 17 year-olds, with the Government setting a target of offering them all a first jab by 23 August.
• The Department for Education has confirmed that twice weekly testing for staff and students will continue until the end of September, when this will be reviewed. Confirmation of legal agreements and cost recovery arrangements will be communicated separately by DHSC Test & Trace.
• New guidance has been released on how to get a COVID pass once you have been vaccinated.
• The Department for Education has released guidance for schools, colleges and exam centres on who should enter students for exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.
• A student guide has been published on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2021.
• A reminder that the Government released updated guidance for higher education providers from 19 July.
• The Secretary of State for Health & Social Care confirmed the Government was moving forward with Step 4 on 19 July, removing almost all restrictions on business operations and social contact in England, and new guidance was published: ‘Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread from 19 July’. It was also confirmed that the Government is on track to offer all adults a vaccine by 19 July, and that a review of preparedness for the autumn and winter will take place in September.
• A reminder that the Government released updated guidance for higher education providers from 19 July. This includes that face masks will no longer be mandatory but that it is recommended they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces. It also includes updated information on outbreak management plans, testing, and new and returning students travelling from overseas.
• The Government published COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 (Roadmap) which sets out the details of the final roadmap step (Step 4) for the transition out of lockdown.
• In relation to education it states: “the Government will change the controls that apply in early years, schools, colleges and higher education institutions to maintain a baseline of protective measures while maximising attendance and minimising disruption to children and young people’s education.”

Outbreak Planning

• New guidance and templates for outbreak plans for providers in higher education, including best practice for smaller institutions has been released. We encourage you to use these examples to support your own planning, and to identify the types of information most appropriate for you to collect and submit to NHS Test and Trace if you need. Read in full.
• Providers should also see the HE Action Card, which outlines the areas your outbreak plan needs to cover so that it can be sent to your local public health authority. If you meet these requirements you do not need to develop your plan with your local public health authority. Read in full.

General Covid-19 information and guidance

• Letter from Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do
• Travel advice
• World Health Organisation: Novel Coronavirus
• COVID-19 early outbreak management

Letters from the Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan MP

• Letter from Minister Donelan – Higher Education Asymptomatic Testing Update
• Minister Donelan’s letter to Providers, 10 May 2021.
• Minister Donelan’s letter to Students, 10 May 2021.
• Ministerial letter on exams and HE admissions. Please note that the Devolved nations have confirmed the same results day for exams as England.
• Minister Donelan letter, 25 February 2021.
• February 2021
• Friday 20 March 2020
• Thursday 26 March 2020
• National restrictions letter to students
• National restrictions letter to VCs

Official guidance for education

• Office for Students – Advice for HE providers
• Department for Education – Guidance for education providers
• Department for Education – Guidance for schools and other educational settings
• Department for Education – Cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A Levels in 2020
• Department for Education – Travel guidance for education settings
• Department for Education – Higher education: reopening buildings and campuses
• Home Office – Covid-19 factsheet: visa customers outside of the UK
• Home Office – Covid-19 factsheet: visa holders and short-term residents in the UK
• Scottish Government: Additional Support for Business 
• DfE – Key Workers in Education
• FE Guidance Update
• Restrictions lifted on self-isolation
• Creative of new households
• HEI Outbreak planning: Best practice suggestions
• HEI Micro and Small providers best practices
• LBU Coronavirus Outbreak Control Plan
• University of Nottingham Coronavirus Outbreak Response Plan
• HEI Outbreak planning: Best practice and common pitfalls
• HEI Practical Tips for HEIs managing outbreaks October update
• Best practice statement – Exercise during self-isolation

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies

• The Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) discussed education in this month’s round of meetings.

DfE helpline

Higher education staff, students and parents can contact the helpline in the following ways:

• Phone: 0800 046 8687
• Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk