Update on schools from Buckinghamshire Council

Schools Reopening

The big news this week is obviously the reopening of our schools in Bucks. It’s fantastic to see them welcoming back all students into the classroom this week for the first time since March. There’s been a huge amount of work to make this happen and parents, carers and students will see many changes to how things are done so our schools can reopen safely.

Every school in Buckinghamshire has carried out a thorough risk assessment. Many of the measures now common in public places are being used in our schools too, like enhanced cleaning, hand sanitiser stations and use of face coverings where needed. Many schools are bringing in changes like staggered start and finish times, and students will be kept in class or year group ‘bubbles’.

Every school has its own tailored plan in place for the new school year and this is being communicated directly by the schools themselves, including the rules on face coverings. If your child is starting or going back to school, make sure you look out for any communication that you get from school in the usual way.

I want to reassure all parents and carers too that while our schools are obviously focussed on helping students to catch up with their studies, there is a big emphasis on their emotional well-being too. We recognise the events of the last few months have impacted all our young people in many different ways and our fantastic school staff are ready to support students however they most need it.

You can read more about the return to school on our website.

Most importantly, if your child or any member of the household starts showing any symptoms of coronavirus please do not send your child to school and begin self-isolating immediately.

Up to date coronavirus case information in Buckinghamshire

We are now publishing up to date information about the number of new coronavirus cases in Buckinghamshire on our website.

Please check www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus to see how many new cases we are getting in Buckinghamshire each day. There is a slight lag while the data comes through to us but it gives you a picture of the local situation. There is also a link to a map where you can put your postcode in and find data on the number of new cases where you live.

Stay vigilant

As you will see if you check this link, although the number of cases in Buckinghamshire remains relatively low, there has been an increase in the number of positive tests recently. Some of these new cases relate to students and their families at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow and Chesham Grammar School after some students contracted the virus during trips abroad.

All affected households are isolating having been contacted by test and trace staff and we are working closely with Public Health England to monitor the situation. Pupils at both schools have been contacted by the Head Teachers and the schools are safe and are reopening as planned.

These new cases remind us all of the need to stay vigilant at all times, and this includes younger people. If you choose to meet up with friends, you must do it safely and within the guidelines.

If people fail to do this, we give the virus a chance to spread. That will impact everyone’s freedoms and will put the vulnerable at risk.

So please, follow the rules, keep your distance, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly and wear a face covering where needed.

It’s also vital that if you or someone you live with develops any symptoms of coronavirus that the household self-isolates immediately and you seek advice from the NHS website.