SCHOOLS have been told they can take an inset day next Friday and finish term early.
Schools Standards Minister Nick Gibb said the move allows staff to have a “proper break” without having to “engage in the track and trace issues” on Christmas Eve.
Staff were told last week they were expected to be on call right up to December 24, so that if any coronavirus outbreaks had been reported after the school closed teachers could follow up on track and trace.
Mr Gibb told MPs: “We are about to announce that inset days can be used on Friday December 18, even if an inset day had not been originally scheduled for that day.
“We want there to be a clear six days so that by the time we reach Christmas Eve staff can have a proper break without having to engage in the track and trace issues.”
The schools minister added it would allow teachers to get a “proper break” over the festive period.
It appears that the inset day must be taken from 2021’s allocated days, as per Schools Week.
Current guidance states schools must take “swift action” if they are made aware of a covid outbreak.
Teachers are expected to be available for the first six days of the school holidays to help with informing families if they need to isolate.
But the inset day would mean that teachers would have the day off on Christmas eve.
Last week, the Department for Education released a statement that said: “We recognise that staff need to rest and recharge over the Christmas break.
“Our approach will reduce the demands on staff as far as possible, while continuing to do what is necessary to fight the virus and keep communities as safe as possible.”
