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Reopening our primary and special schools
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Guidance and videos for parents and children are available on our Information for students, parents and families page.
Spring Back to School
Supporting the Wellbeing of School Communities: Guidance for Schools Returning to School: Spring 2021
DownloadThe following letter was issued to school principals on 23 February 2021 in relation to the reopening schools from 01 March 2021
Letter to primary school principals 23 February 2021
Next phase of reopening of schools from 1 March 2021
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COVID-19 response plan for primary and special schools (PDF version)
This is a printable PDF version of the content above.
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COVID-19 response plan for primary and special schools (Word version)
This is a printable Word version of the content above.
DownloadThis document provides practical advice for teachers as schools recommence face-to-face learning for pupils from junior infants to second class.
Returning to school: Guidance for teaching and learning Junior Infants - 2nd class
March 2021
DownloadThis document provides practical advice for teachers as schools recommence face-to-face learning for pupils from third class to sixth class.
In the video message below, Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Abigail Collins talks about how to ensure the safe return of special schools and classes:
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.
For more information go to www.hse.ie/cvdcc
This video is a webinar held for school principals
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.
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.
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
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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
The department has created a range of training and resource materials for use in schools.
Information on supports for the special education sector in the reopening of schools is available here
Guidelines and procedures issued to primary and special schools during the COVID-19 pandemic are available here. This includes curriculum and assessment guidance, school management guidance and Department of Education circulars and information notes related to COVID-19.
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.
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Return to School: Report on analysis of data from principals, October and November 2020
Published March 2021
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Return to School: Report on focus groups with pupils and students, September and October 2020
Published March 2021
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Return to School: Report on focus groups with pupils and students, November 2020
Published March 2021
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Return to school: Report on findings of surveys in primary schools, post-primary and special schools, October 2020
Published March 2021
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Return to School: Report on findings of surveys in primary schools and special schools, December 2020
Published March 2021
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Return to School: Report on findings of surveys in post-primary schools, December 2020
Published March 2021
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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
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