Coronavirus: Government revises guidance for children of key workers

Findings from an NAHT survey of school leaders in England, released today, show that one in 10 schools had between 40 and 60 per cent of pupils attending last week, after the lockdown came into effect.

Amid growing concerns that schools could become overwhelmed with higher numbers of pupils attending than the last lockdown, the Department for Education (DfE) updated its guidance for critical workers on Friday (8 January) evening, and advised parents and carers of children who are eligible for a school place that they should keep them at home if at all possible.

It states, ‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (Covid-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined in the following sections. Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required, but parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.’

NAHT’s survey, which received 4,964 responses on 7 January, found that 74 percent of school leaders reported that the demand for places from key worker families and vulnerable children has ‘greatly increased’ compared to the lockdown last March.

It also found: