The 2019-2020 school year has just ended – easily the strangest, most disrupted school year since the Second World War. Already, the government, local authorities and schools are looking toward next term. The government is planning for a full reopening of schools and colleges with health precautions in place.



Among other things, these precautions include:



Ensuring people who have been in contact with a COVID-19 case do not attend school

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene (“catch it, bin it, kill it”) procedures

Enhanced cleaning of surfaces

Minimisation of student contact outside of set groups

The government has also issued schools with guidance about how to react if a student or staff member tests positive or if an outbreak occurs. Otherwise, the school year is expected to proceed more or less as normal, including PE classes, exams – and mandatory attendance. This includes fines, penalties, and the prospect of criminal prosecution.