Bright World joins Safe Schools UK - helping students return safely in September

Having spent weeks during lockdown meeting and speaking with UK boarding schools on their plans for re-opening safely, we at Bright World feel confident and positive about students being able to return in September. Now what is very important is that the UK boarding school sector joins together and sends this positive message out collectively to show agents, parents and students their commitment to working together and planning for a safe September start.

Safe Schools UK have issued the following statement:

Whilst it is impossible to eliminate risk entirely, it is possible for schools to put in procedures and policies that may help reduce the risk of transmission. Schools who have joined the #safeschools initiative confirm they will implement the BSA Covid-Safe Charter. This means that schools will:

1. Allow students to wear face masks in school
2. Undertake temperature checks or thermal scanning regularly for all non-resident individuals 
3. Put in place and ensure appropriate social distancing measures
4. Ensure appropriate PPE for staff who require it
5. Provide a suitable isolation area to care for pupils who show symptoms

In addition to the above, #safeschools will commit to some or all of these following additional measures to create further confidence and reassurance in their school:

• Request visitors or non-residents who have travelled abroad in the previous 14 days to not enter the school grounds until a period of 14 total days off site has been completed, and to not report to school if symptoms are displayed during that period.
• To actively encourage teachers and support staff to wear face masks where appropriate
• To offer or assist all new and returning international students arriving to the U.K. for September with quarantine options for the 14 days prior to term starting, if that period is required and compliant with UK guidelines
• To explore offering single occupancy rooms, or reduce boarders per room, where space and where availability permits 
• To provide isolation in school, in a safe environment with 24/7 staff care if symptomatic or suspected of Covid-19
• To remain open at half-term if the 14 day quarantine is still in effect where feasible to do so
• To communicate to parents publicly (and wider community if necessary) the protocols in place should a member of the school community display symptoms of, or be diagnosed with Covid-19
• To commit to providing regular and timely updates from the school’s leadership to all parents
• Completion of a medical declaration for all non-resident individuals 
• To ensure provision where possible for students who cannot join school in September or October 2020 (due to travel restrictions or other Coronavirus challenges) to undertake online learning until January 2021, before then arriving in school.
  

Bright World can help schools and overseas parents feel even more secure when they return in September.

Covid-19 safe airport transfers

The first important stage is ensuring that a safe and reliable driver is waiting for them at the airport. All Bright World drivers will have signed up to our Covid-19 Code of Conduct and Policy.

Quarantine facilities for those who need it

Bright World has safe and secure Quarantine and Settling-In programmes available to our students should they need it.

Host family accommodation during the holidays

Our host families will be ready to host students for the holidays and should schools for any reason need to close again. All our host families will have signed up to our Covid-19 policy for host families.

If you choose an AEGIS-accredited guardianship organisation such as Bright World, you can be assured of a 24/7 professional service.

Lana Foster, Managing Director and Lucy Barnwell, Director of External Relations at Rossall School talk about the Safe Schools UK initiative.

View our Coronavirus contingency plan