Coronavirus updates

Devon Schools COVID-19 page

The Devon Schools COVID-19 page has now been set up and provides key messages and information for schools and parents on the COVID-19 situation.

Key information available includes:

• school closures.
• what this means for schools and parents in Devon.
• should I send my child to school?
• DfE Coronavirus helpline.
• school resources and information on key workers and messages for parents.

Update for Tuesday 24th March:

Workbook collections – in light of the Government announcement last night, it is unclear if collecting workbooks is ‘essential’ in terms of travel or even if visiting the school constitutes exercise! If you do choose to come in to school, we urge you to respect social distancing, and wait outside while other parents collect books from inside the hall. If you do not feel it appropriate to collect your books at this time we respect this decision.

Update for Sunday 22nd March:

School workbooks are being made available in the school hall next week with access via the fire exit, so you do not need to sign in to collect them. Please respect ‘social distancing’ and ensure you follow the timings below so that the books are ready.

• Tuesday 24th is open to Y9 only
• Wednesday 25th is open to Y8 only
• Thursday 26th is open to Y7 and Y10
• Friday 27th is open to Y11

How do you explain Coronavirus to your children? See a guide here.

Update for Saturday 21st March:

We have important information for key workers who require essential school provision during next week.

Click here for details.

Update for Friday 20th March:

Information on the definition of key workers has been announced and is detailed below. If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision. Click here for the key worker survey.

Health and social care

This includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributers of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

This includes childcare, support and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach.

Key public services

This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and workers delivering key frontline services, those responsible for the management of the deceased, and journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response, or delivering essential public services, such as the payment of benefits, including in government agencies and arms length bodies.

Food and other necessary goods

This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

Public safety and national security

This includes police and support staff, Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic), fire and rescue service employees (including support staff), National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas.

Transport

This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.

Utilities, communication and financial services

This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure), the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage), information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response, as well as key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services), postal services and delivery, payments providers and waste disposal sectors.

If workers think they fall within the critical categories above, they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

Update for Thursday 19th March

We are currently making preparations for school closure and are working with the DfE as more guidance and legislation is brought forward. We will keep this page up to date as we know more.

This is an unprecedented situation for all of us, so please be patient and we will keep you informed as best we can.