From the National Governance Association (NGA) Regarding Coronavirus information for Governing Boards
Monitoring priorities for governing boards during partial school closures
Updated 21 January 2021
We updated this information on 21 January to reflect the latest guidance on free school meals and COVID-19 testing for school staff and pupils.
This information sheet compiles the monitoring priorities that
we recommend governing boards pay particular attention to at this time.
You can use this to help focus your discussions with school leaders.
Monitoring priorities covered in this information sheet include:
- Risk management and safeguarding
- Wellbeing across the school community
- Providing remote education
- Maintaining the curriculum and continuity of learning for all pupils
- Support to reduce the impact of lockdown on disadvantaged pupils
- Resource allocation and management
- Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for all pupils and staff (updated 21 January)
The Department for Education (DfE) have updated their guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak, detailing what all schools will need to do from the start of the autumn term.
Governing boards should keep abreast of the capacity in their schools
and trusts to deliver lateral flow testing to pupils and staff based on
the guidance and financial resources available.
- schools should test staff regularly (twice weekly where possible)
- staff in secondary schools, including special schools and alternative provision, will continue to be tested in school
- primary, school-based nursery and maintained nursery staff will be
asked to use self-swab kits to test themselves at home twice a week
(schools will start to receive delivery of these kits from 18 January)
- schools should test pupils twice upon their return to school
- the rollout of daily contact testing has been paused
- testing is “strongly encouraged” but not mandatory
Further reading
Further information regarding Covid-19 for Governing Boards
Page updated 08/02/2021
Release date: 18/12/2020
Following the announcement on 15 December that rapid-result COVID-19 tests will be made available to schools and colleges in the new year, the government confirmed a staggered rollout of testing for secondary schools and colleges from the beginning of January yesterday (17 December).
Secondary schools and colleges will operate a staggered return
following the Christmas holiday. All non-exam year groups will be
offered full-time remote education, as close as possible to that which
pupils would get in class, during the first week of term with
face-to-face education for all resuming on 11 January 2021.
Sam Henson, director of policy and information at the National Governance Association, said:
“Large scale testing is clearly an important priority but the lateness
of this announcement and the huge degree of pressure that this places on
school leaders as a result is unacceptable and irresponsible. NGA is
deeply concerned that the timing of this announcement and accompanying
guidance will have a detrimental impact on the welfare and wellbeing of
those working in schools and in particular those leading schools and
academy trusts. The lack of consideration for logistical issues
associated with setting up a testing programme at the scale envisaged is
further indication that the Department for Education’s policy-making
process is slow to understand how schools function. The expectation for
schools to assemble a volunteer workforce and roll this out in the next
few working days is both unreasonable and unviable.
“NGA is also aware of concerns raised by members and colleagues regarding the suggestion included within the guidance that
those governing could form part of the testing workforce within
schools. Governing boards have a strategic ‘eyes on, hands off’ remit in
school and trust leadership, with volunteers contributing valuable
time, skills and expertise to ensure the best education for all pupils.
We must make it clear that any contribution to the testing workforce
requirements is entirely voluntary, and there will be no expectation for
governors and trustees to take on this additional role, as we
completely understand that many do not have the personal or professional
circumstances to allow them to do so on top of the huge amount of time
they already give to their school. Where governors and trustees do opt
to take on such a role of their own accord, this is completely separate
to their governance role, and should not detract from the board’s
primary role of strategically supporting school leaders as they roll out
mass testing.
“Governing boards have significant responsibilities to support the
wellbeing of those employed in their schools and trusts. On their
behalf, we join those seeking assurances that school staff will not be
expected to carry out any invasive medical procedure.”
Coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organisation on the 11 March 2020. It is now a major concern for school
leaders monitoring and dealing with the risks and implications in an
evolving situation.
The government has announced that all state schools will close to
almost all pupils until further notice. The closure will take effect
from the afternoon of Friday 20th March. Nurseries, private schools and
sixth forms should also follow this guidance. The closure will apply to
all children, except those of key workers and those who are “most
vulnerable”, including those with social workers and education, health
and care plans. The cabinet office has published a list of the key
worker categories.
This is an unprecedented and extremely difficult situation. It will
lead to more questions than there are answers over the coming days and
weeks. Those governing will want to support their schools the best way
that they can at the same time as dealing with their own personal
circumstances. They will also be considerate of the enormous task that
staff have in ensuring continuity of education and making the reduced
provision work on the ground.
NGA are producing information sheets on a regular basis containing
key messages about the Coronavirus, schools and governing boards taking
into account the evolving situation and the implications for school
governance.
Guidance is also on available on continuing the business of the
governing board during these challenging circumstances. This guidance
covers business priorities and other business; the work undertaken by
panels; taking urgent decisions; and holding virtual meetings
successfully.
Below is the guidance issued in order of publication by the NGA/DfE or other bodies
(The NLAGB is not responsible for the content contained in these documents)
