Special Edition - Spring term - 4 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updated advice to schools
Message from Dawn Stabb - Head of Education and Learning, Devon County Council
Dear Colleagues
The DfE have sent an update to all schools launching a DfE Coronavirus helpline. Details are below for your ease of reference. These direct updates will now be sent daily from the DfE to keep you updated on the government’s response to COVID 19.
Pupil Absence
I have also had enquiries from schools relating to pupil absence. Our current advice would be that if the pupil’s absence follows the isolation guidelines laid out by Public Health England (i.e. they have had close contact with an infected person or they have returned from a category one area) then the absence should be authorised. If the absence is not in line with this advice, then it need not be authorised.
Please note that this is general guidance and the decision as always will rest with individual headteacher who will have a better knowledge of the individual circumstance.
Information relating to staff absence for employers is included in the links below.
Public Health England
Health and Safety
A number of staff have asked about the cleaning of equipment such as shared phones and keyboards. You school may want to consider the access staff have to cleaning wipes or other ways of cleaning this equipment at regular intervals.
Contact the Devon Health and Safety Service on 01392 382027 if you require any advice.
School Emergency Management Plans
All schools are encouraged to urgently review their School Emergency Management Plan and procedures already in place (e.g. in the event of snow days) to ensure that these are relevant to enable a response to the current situation if this becomes appropriate.
If you would like to check that your school emergency plan is based on the most up to date template, please check your OSHENS website or contact the Devon Health and Safety Service on 01392 382027.
DfE Updated Advice to Schools
We are continuing to keep you updated on the government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline
Today, we have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.
The importance of hygiene
Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19. Please help us in sharing simple and effective hand hygiene messages.
Sign up is quick, free and means you will be alerted as more resources are made available.
New guidance for employers
Read the latest information on COVID-19 on GOV.UK
Devon Association of Primary Headteachers (DAPH) &
Devon Association of Secondary Headteachers (DASH)
Contact us: 01392 380518 | daph@devon.gov.uk | daph.org.uk
DAPH Office
Venture House, One Capital Court
Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate
Exeter EX2 7FW
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