Publication
Reopening our post primary schools
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The importance and significance of ensuring educational facilities safely open to pupils, and remain safely open for pupils and staff, is acknowledged across society and supported within the Public Health Medical community and the health services at large.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) advice for educational settings is available here.
Listen to expert advice from Dr Abigail Collins on what to do if you work in an educational setting and are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19.
For more information go to www.hse.ie/cvdcc
The HSE have published A parent’s guide to close contacts. This guide sets out what to expect when your child has been told they are a close contact of Covid-19 in school.
See below a paper prepared by the Office of the Clinical Director, Health Protection, HSE and a letter issued to schools.
Schools Pathway for COVID-19: The Public Health approach
Paper prepared by the Office of the Clinical Director, Health Protection, HSE
Download
Advice can be found on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website.
This leaflet was developed for school principals or designated contact person by the HSE in collaboration with the Department of Education:
COVID-19 Schools Community Testing Pathway
FAQs for school principals or designated contact person
DownloadPromoting the wellbeing of our school communities is a fundamental element of the department’s overall plan to ensure a successful return to school as we continue to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are living through exceptional times and this impacts on the wellbeing of everyone in different ways, at different times. People have been naturally worried about the risk to their physical health and that of their loved ones and have been challenged to varying degrees by the public health measures that were put in place in Ireland to control the spread of the virus, such as staying at home and school closures.
The Department of Education NEPS psychologists have developed the following advice and resources for parents, students and school staff as they return to school following school closure due to Covid-19, see NEPS advice & resources during Covid-19
- Introduction
- COVID-19 response plan
- School COVID-19 policy
- Planning and preparing for return to school
- Control Measures
- Impact of COVID-19 on certain school activities
- Hygiene and cleaning in schools
- Dealing with a Suspected Case of COVID-19
- Staff Duties
- COVID-19 related absence management
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
- Appendices (checklists and policies that schools must follow)
COVID-19 response plan for post primary schools (PDF version)
Download
COVID-19 response plan for post primary schools
This is a printable Word version of the content above.
DownloadThe department has created a range of training and resource materials for use in schools.
Supporting collaboration with parents/guardians of Post-Primary students School Year 2020/2021
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0074/2020
Arrangements for schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that schools are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice
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Reconnecting with Education
Guidance for post-primary schools for students at risk of early school leaving
Download
Template Health and Safety Control of COVID-19 Policy for Students
Download
Clarification on the use of face coverings in post primary schools
Download
Continuity of schooling: Supporting post primary students who are at very high risk to COVID-19
Download
Return to School Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education
Download
Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools
Download
Assessment Arrangements for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021
Download
0054/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for certain employees of recognised Primary and Post Primary schools in the Free Education Scheme and of ETBs, employed using grant funding
Download
0053/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Additional Supervision Arrangements for the 2020/21 School Year
Download
0050/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for staff other than Teachers and SNAs who are employed by ETBs
Download
Guidance for Post-primary Schools on PPE, Consumables and Equipment
Download
0049/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools
Download
Framework to maintain Physical Distancing in the Classroom in Post Primary Schools
Download
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Advice for management and teachers of LCA 2020/21 in Second-Level Schools and Centres for Education
Download
Returning to School Transition Year 2020/21
Download
Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers
Download
Illustrative Classroom Layouts referenced in the Framework to maintain Physical Distancing in the Classroom in Post Primary Schools with a full return of all Students
DownloadThis leaflet was developed for school principals or designated contact person by the HSE in collaboration with the Department of Education:
COVID-19 Schools Community Testing Pathway
FAQs for school principals or designated contact person
DownloadText version of the leaflet is available here.
Here is some guidance on key issues relating to school reopening that schools and parents may find helpful in answering some of their questions:
