Guidance on Students Returning to Campus
- A written ministerial statement and updated guidance on student returns in England were published late this afternoon. The statement confirms that, as expected, there will be no further student returns to in-person teaching until Step 3 of the roadmap (no earlier than 17 May). Students and higher education providers will be given a week’s notice of any further easing of restrictions and students should continue with remote learning until then.
- The Government will also be making an additional £15m available for student hardship this academic year.
- Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has written to all Accountable Officers to confirm the news and updated FAQs for students have been published on the OfS website.
- The Government earlier announced that twice weekly asymptomatic testing will be made available to everyone across England from 9 April, including HE students and staff. Anyone can now access free, rapid lateral flow tests (LFDs) for themselves and their families to use twice a week, in line with clinical guidance. Those who report a positive result will be asked to self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test.
- Updated Covid-19 communications toolkit containing key messages for students returning to face-to-face teaching at universities and HE institutions.
- COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021 (the roadmap).
- Guidance on students returning to Higher Education – click here to download the PDF file.
- Update on weekly mass testing
- INFORMATION Temporary removal of confirmatory PCR
- Students returning to campus
- Student Communications Resources for January
New guidance for end of term and the start of the Spring term
- DfE Letter to VCs – Critical workers in HE
- The Government has released the guidance for the end of term and Christmas period.
- The Office for Students has released an FAQs for students for the end of term.
- Communications pack – end of term arrangements
- New guidance for the start of January term
- Letter from Minister Donelan to International Students
- Government end of term resources
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
- 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
- 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