Bundle: Education and Covid-19

Reopening public facilities as we come out of the Covid-19 lockdown was always going to be tough. Educational institutions in general and schools in particular present challenges different although not unique to other public services: the compulsory nature of most schooling; the role of the school as a community resource; the carefree nature of childhood; the lack of knowledge about how Covid-19 is passed between children; the susceptibility of adults to the virus; the difficulty of changing school buildings to minimise risk need tackling.

The LGIU has been publishing a briefings to help local authorities think through the issues on the assessment arrangements, school transport, what is known about the absence from school, plans for reopening schools, mental health of children during the lockdown, and more.

This bundle has three new articles: Kim Fellows of the LGIU looks at Scotland where schools have been open for three weeks, Seán Ó’Riordáin of the LGIU reports from Ireland, and Nansi Ellis of the National Education Union (NEU) gives a view from the school. We will be publishing more briefings and blogs in the coming weeks, and would be happy to publish blogs on your local experience – please contact John Fowler.

Local governments play a vital role in understanding the complex issues and in translating guidance into services that families rely on. Transitions from home to nursery, primary and secondary schools will be even more poignant this year as rights of passage for everyone, but most especially children. LGIU will continue to cover many aspects of education services this autumn.