Publication
Reopening our post primary schools
Published on
Last updated on
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.
This letter from Dr. Tony Holohan, CMO was issued to parents on 16 December 2020:
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.
Dr Abigail Collins has advice for School Principals on the steps they can take if told that a child or staff member test positive for COVID-19 and how soon HSE Public Health will be in touch.
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.
Educational facilities mid-term review – a focus on primary and post-primary schools. The public health perspective
Office of the Clinical Director of Health Protection
DownloadThis document is designed to provide guidance for schools in situations where a partial or full school closure is advised by Public Health HSE because of a case or cases of COVID-19. It is also intended to advise schools on how individual students who may have to self-isolate or restrict their movements can be supported in continuing their learning remotely:
Guidance on Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning in a COVID-19 Context
For post-primary schools and centres for education.
DownloadThis information note outlines the arrangements for reporting absenteeism of pupils in the context of COVID-19 related absences for schools:
Recording and reporting Covid-19 post primary pupil related absences
The purpose of this information note is to outline the arrangements for reporting absenteeism of students in the context of the COVID-19 related absences for schools.
DownloadClarifications regarding the implementation of school placement during the current school year 2020/2021:
Reminder to schools of the need to ensure that any plans for the remainder of the year are implemented in line with public health guidelines:
This information note outlines the updated requirements in relation to the provision by the principal of a Child Protection Oversight Report to the board of management following the reopening of schools and having regard to the ongoing public health emergency:
Updated requirements in relation to the provision of a Child Protection Oversight Report to the board of management
The purpose of this information note is to outline the updated requirements in relation to the provision by the Principal of a Child Protection Oversight Report to the board of management following the reopening of schools and having regard to the ongoing public health emergency.
DownloadInformation leaflet to support effective communication and collaboration with parents:
Supporting collaboration with parents/guardians of Post-Primary students School Year 2020/2021
DownloadCircular 0074/2020 requests all schools to immediately act to put 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:
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
DownloadThe purpose of this guidance is to support schools in encouraging students to return to school to complete their education, and/or to outline options such as alternative pathways to further education or employment:
Reconnecting with Education
Guidance for post-primary schools for students at risk of early school leaving
DownloadThis template for students has been developed by the Department of Education and is intended as a guide for schools in how they can set out for students and parents/guardians, the COVID-19 health and safety control measures to be followed by students in their school and ensure that any non-adherence to the measures concerned can be addressed by the school through the school’s code of behaviour for students:
Template Health and Safety Control of COVID-19 Policy for Students
Download
Clarification on the use of face coverings in post primary schools
DownloadThis guidance is provided to support schools in making adapted education provision for pupils who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19:
Continuity of schooling: Supporting post primary students who are at very high risk to COVID-19
DownloadThe purpose of this document is to provide guidance in relation to subjects that involve using equipment in order to support the safe implementation of the practical aspects of those subjects:
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
Updated November 2020
DownloadThis updated document sets out the adjusted assessment arrangements for post-primary students taking certificate examinations in the 2020/21 school year. These arrangements are designed to take account of the disrupted learning experienced by students during the 2019/20 school year:
Assessment Arrangements for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021
Updated December 2020
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
0049/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools
DownloadGuidance for schools, on a multi-supplier arrangement of personal protective equipment (PPE), consumables, equipment and products which best suit their needs:
Guidance for Post-primary Schools on PPE, Consumables and Equipment
Download
Framework to maintain Physical Distancing in the Classroom in Post Primary Schools
DownloadAdvice for management and teachers of LCA 2020/21 in Second-Level Schools and Centres for Education:
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Advice for management and teachers of LCA 2020/21 in Second-Level Schools and Centres for Education
DownloadGuidance on learning and school programmes for post-primary school leaders and teachers:
Returning to School Transition Year 2020/21
Download
Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers
DownloadThe purpose of circular 0046/2020 is to provide details of the Covid-19 operational supports that will be made available to post primary schools to fully and safely reopen in a sustainable way while minimising risk associated with COVID-19:
Illustrative classroom layouts as referenced in the Framework to maintain Physical Distancing in the Classroom in Post Primary Schools with a full return of all Students
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
DownloadDetail of the minor works grant to schools to support full implementation of COVID-19 response plans, is set out here
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
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:
Resumption of Schooling Autumn 2020: Report on analysis of data from principals
This report presents an analysis of data from the Inspectorate’s advisory sessions with principals and other school leaders during the period 01 September 2020 to 25 September 2020.
Download
