Keeping young people safe from COVID-19 and in school

School attendance is critical, not only to support children to make progress and fulfil their potential but also for their general health and wellbeing, providing a safe and protective space.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to be high, the council has been working with local secondary schools to promote the uptake of lateral flow testing in readiness for the new term, so pupils can continue going to school safely.

Schools are using a phased return to support testing with all children returning to the classroom by the end of the week.

Schools have also been asked to encourage students to continue testing, twice weekly at home, to protect themselves and their school community.

With the new measures introduced to combat Omicron, this will see children in Year 7 and upwards wearing masks while in class, following the introduction of new rules by the government, as well as in communal areas.

The council is offering face coverings to any secondary school that needs them.

And council officers in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (London Coronavirus Response Cell) continue to support schools to manage outbreaks and minimise potential disruption to learning.

Councillor Salier, Cabinet member for adult care and health, said, 
“It’s now more important than ever that everyone locally continues to do everything they can to tackle COVID-19 – getting the vaccine, getting tested and keeping yourself and your loved ones safe is as vital now, as they always have been.” 

Councillor Sweet, Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, said,
“Our focus has been on ensuring that all children return to school after the Christmas holidays. We know that face-to-face teaching is vital to address gaps in learning due to the pandemic and to support Wandsworth young people with their ambitions.

“Colleagues across education and social care will be working in partnership with our schools to maximise attendance and ensure that all children access the education they deserve.”

Call for former teachers to return to the classroom
We are supporting the government’s call to encourage qualified teachers, who are not currently working in the sector, to consider whether they can return to the classroom temporarily to help protect face-to-face education.

Locally, supply teacher agencies will continue to ensure that there are enough teachers across the borough. And our schools and colleges, supported by the council, are working hard to ensure that any children who miss lessons, due to COVID-19, receive high-quality remote learning.

If you are a qualified teacher, but not currently teaching, register with a nearby supply teaching agency listed on the Get Into Teaching website.

COVID-19 advice
Get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation.

• Book a vaccination: get your COVID-19 vaccination, read about the vaccines and find out what happens when you have your vaccine.
  
  
• Get tested: get a test to check if you have COVID-19, find out what testing involves, understand your test result, and how to report your result.
  
  
• Symptoms: get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation.
  
  
• Self-isolation and treating symptoms of COVID-19: advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.