As part of the Tier 4 announcement the Government has decided to delay the opening of schools in the New Year.

This means that:

Secondary schools – In Hounslow, only pupils in exam years (11 and 13), vulnerable children and children of critical workers will attend at school from Monday 11 January, 2021. All other pupils will receive remote education at home. This arrangement will continue until Monday 18 January, 2021 based on Government guidance. Schools will advise parents and staff directly. Vocational exams that were scheduled in January will proceed as planned.

In anticipation of children returning to school, we will be supporting the roll-out of rapid, asymptomatic testing in secondary schools and colleges across the borough from the beginning of January onwards to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus. All schools and colleges in the borough with secondary-age pupils and students, including special schools and alternative provision, will be offered the opportunity and we are providing planning support to assist with the process. Arrangements for carrying out the rapid tests will vary by individual school or college and headteachers will be advising parents and staff directly to confirm details.

Primary schools – In Hounslow, only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will attend at school from Monday 4 January, 2021. All other pupils will receive remote education at home. This arrangement will continue until Monday 18 January, 2021 based on Government guidance. Schools will advise parents and staff directly. Children with special educational needs in the primary years (1-6) who are identified as vulnerable children will attend at school from Monday 4 January, 2021.

Woodbridge Park education service – All children attending this school should attend from the week beginning Monday 4 January, 2021

Nursery (Early Years) and childminders - open as usual from Monday 4 January, 2021, or at an alternative date set by the provider of the service. Nursery and early years providers will be able to advise parents directly.

These requirements are broadly similar across London and the South East in Tier 4. If your child attends a school outside the London Borough of Hounslow, please seek guidance from the school. Children who are eligible for free school meals can continue to gain access to this support in the period up to Monday 18 January, 2021. Schools will be able to advise parents on how to claim free school meals.

Statement on the Government’s delay to the opening of schools and the introduction of rapid, asymptomatic testing for schools and colleges

Cllr Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Youth Services, said:

“I am supportive of the recently announced measures in order to help reduce the spread of the virus. I am glad the Government has listened to scientific advice, but it is highly regrettable that once again all these decisions and these announcements continue to come so late and give schools little or no time to plan. We will ensure that those who are eligible for free school meals can continue to gain access to this important support.

“We are also supporting the roll-out of rapid, asymptomatic testing in secondary schools and colleges across the borough from the beginning of January. This is a further measure to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. ‘Rapid tests’ or ‘lateral flow tests’ will be used to test staff, pupils and students who do not have symptoms, but could be passing on the virus without knowing. All schools and colleges in the borough with secondary-age pupils and students, including special schools and alternative provision, will be offered the opportunity and we are providing planning support to assist with the process. Arrangements for carrying out the rapid tests will vary by individual school or college and headteachers will be advising parents and staff directly to confirm details.”

A message from Cllr Steve Curran

Yesterday the Government announced that - like the rest of London - Hounslow will be remaining in Tier 4 for at least the next two weeks, and that reopening our primary and secondary schools will be delayed for many.

These measures were announced on a day when the UK recorded almost a thousand new COVID-19 deaths. A single day on which 981 people died of this terrible virus. The UK total is now over 70,000 deaths.

As infection rates rise across London, and increasingly across the rest of the country, the NHS is incredibly stretched. We must protect our NHS, and make sure we all support it by not adding to demand.

The NHS in London is busy, but urgent care is available if you need it. GPs are offering more appointments for people with urgent health needs this Bank Holiday. Contact your practice and they will tell you what to do or you can contact 111 day and night.

Remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies.

Hounslow Council is continuing to protect our most vulnerable, and making sure people get support over festive period and beyond. We are preparing to roll out community testing early in the New Year, and to support schools in these difficult days.

We stand at the threshold of a New Year. 2021 will be the year we start community testing and mass vaccinations and begin to see the end to this threat to lives and livelihoods.

But to seize 2021's opportunities we must make the changes needed, follow the rules and Keep Hounslow Safe. It will only be a better year for us all if we all make it through.

And - however badly we want to celebrate the New Year, and especially seeing the back of the old one - we must not be tempted to break the rules in any New Year's Eve celebrations.

I wish you all the very best for the New Year, and for fulfilment of the hopes it brings for us all in Hounslow and the many other parts of the world in which our residents have history, families and loved ones.

We will come through it as One Hounslow, stronger by working together.

Protect the NHS

As infection rates rise across London, and increasingly across the rest of the country, the NHS is incredibly stretched.

We must protect our NHS, and make sure we all support it by not adding to demand. 

The NHS in London is busy, but urgent care is available if you need it.

GPs are offering more appointments for people with urgent health needs this Bank Holiday.

Contact your practice and they will tell you what to do or you can contact 111 day and night. 

Remember that 999 and A&E are for emergencies.

Hounslow Council support

COVID-19 Testing

Did you know that you can get tested for COVID-19 at home? You can order a home test kit simply by calling 119 or online. Remember, you must self-isolate until you get a negative result.

Other tests include;

• Going to a local walk-through test centre in Feltham and Heston, or 
• Visiting a Mobile Testing Site

You can't access a test site without booking in advance online or by calling 119.

The Government has announced that Hounslow will remain under Tier 4 restrictions for at least a further two weeks. Tier 4 will continue to apply to the whole of London.

The announcement came on the expected review date, yesterday, 30th December 2020.

The next review is due on 13th January 2021.