Latest guidance for parents and carers from the Department of Education

Full reopening of schools on 8th March 2021

Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in the spring term 2021.

Self-isolation period reduced from 14 days to 10 days

Self-isolation is essential to reducing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) as it breaks the chains of transmission. After reviewing the evidence, the Department for Health and Social Care is now confident that we can reduce the number of days that contacts self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days. This was set out in the UK Chief Medical Officers' statement on the self-isolation period on 11 December. 

From today, the self-isolation period for close contacts of a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed from 14 to 10 days. This change applies to all those who are currently self-isolating including those who commenced self-isolation before today. This means that if you are on the 11th, 12th or 13th day of your current self-isolation period today – you can stop isolating. Any new cases identified for self-isolation will be advised to self-isolate for 10 days.

We have updated our guidance to reflect this change.

The NHS test and trace app will be updated to reflect the change on Wednesday 17 December. Anyone who is, or has been, contacted by the NHS app to self-isolate before 17 December can reduce their isolation period by 3 days. From 17 December the NHS app will tell people to self-isolate for 10 days.

We have updated our guidance for parents and carers on what they need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This update provides information on the national restrictions that came into force on 5 November, the latest advice for clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people and advice on the use of face coverings in education settings. 

We are receiving regular updates from the Department of Health via the Department for Education and have shared any relevant links or information below. 

Read the latest information on the reopening of schools from the Department of Education here.

Guidance: Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest Government information and advice 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Department for Education Coronavirus helpline

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)