The Department for Education (DfE) today launched a new coronavirus (COVID-19) advice service for the education sector, including parents and carers. The relevant details are detailed below:

Department for Education Coronavirus helpline

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:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

• No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.

Public Health England (PHE) says coronavirus presents as: “Flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. If you have returned from [an affected area] and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors and call NHS 111. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.”

A number of parents have been making enquiries about the educational visits which are, as you would expect, on the academic calendar between now and the summer holidays in July. Under government guidance in place at the time of writing, we will continue to prepare for those school trips to go ahead. But at the same time, we will also continue to monitor the daily advice being provided to schools by PHE. As you may have seen in today’s national news, the Prime Minister will tomorrow (Tuesday 3^rd March) be announcing new containment measures in relation to coronavirus in the UK; we will, of course, keep you updated with any developments  which impact on our academies.

Mr R Reeve
Director of Welfare