Back to School

Today the Government has launched their back to school campaign, giving students and staff the confidence to look forward to a more normal school year as we build back better.

The return to school is a huge moment for students and staff - and it is right to make sure their full focus is on learning, enrichment and recovery.

The back to school campaign reassures families about the protective measures in educational settings – including testing, ventilation and extra hygiene precautions – providing leaflets, social and digital advertising in the coming days.

Schools and colleges are maintaining proportionate protective measures such as testing, ventilation and extra hygiene precautions that help keep children and staff safe and minimise disruption to face-to-face education.

Secondary schools and colleges are offering two tests on-site at the start of term, followed by continued regular testing at home. Students aged 16 and 17, as well as younger children aged 12-15 in certain eligible groups are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine.

For the latest local information about schools updates in Norwich please visit: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/coronavirus-school-updates

The Government are also awaiting advice from the JCVI on a potential booster programme for jabs, as well as vaccinations for 12 year olds, and will await this advice before making a final decision.

Maintaining these measures will ensure students can enjoy a more normal academic year – so they can focus on catching up on lost learning and getting the world class education they deserve, as we learn to live with COVID.

Further information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak?utm_source=back-school-campaign-aug-2020&utm_medium=offline&utm_campaign=backtoschool

As the local MP, ensuring that Norwich children get the best possible start in life is one of my priorities. To find out what I am doing to ensure this, please visit: https://www.chloesmith.org.uk/myplan/children

As always, if I can help with this or any other matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.