Update on Out-of-School Settings following PM Announcement

Following the PM’s announcement on Monday 5^th July 2021, the out-of-school settings guidance to reflect Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown has been updated.

The updated guidance is available at the usual links (see below). You’ll notice that there are two versions of the guidance on each page. One of the guidance documents is the current Step 3 guidance, which you should follow whilst we are still in Step 3. And then the other is the new Step 4 guidance which you should follow when Step 4 commences (due to be 19^th July) entitled “COVID-19: Actions for out-of-school settings (applies from Step 4)”.

• Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Main Updates to the Out-of-school Settings Guidance from Step 4

• We will no longer advise that children are kept in consistent groups (“bubbles”). Groups can still be of any size.
• Residential visits may take place in groups of any number at Step 4. However, we are still advising that out-of-school settings do not go on any international visits until the beginning of the new school term in autumn.
• From 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.  Instead, children will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, informed they have been in close contact with a positive case and advised to take a PCR test.
• From Step 4, face coverings will no longer be recommended to be worn in either classrooms or communal areas. They will also no longer be required to be worn in community premises (e.g. village halls, community centres, etc) or on public transport.
• We will no longer advise that you limit the attendance of parents and carers during sessions.
• Parents will no longer need to limit the number of settings their child attends