Pupils will take Covid tests but the intention is to avoid closing classrooms. AP
Pupils will take Covid tests but the intention is to avoid closing classrooms. AP
Pupils will take Covid tests but the intention is to avoid closing classrooms. AP
Pupils will take Covid tests but the intention is to avoid closing classrooms. AP

World

UK

Back to school in Britain: The do's and don’ts of a new term

Social distancing and face mask requirements have largely gone

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

September 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Pupils in the UK are returning to school for the new academic year with most Covid restrictions being dropped after months of disruption.

Many social distancing measures have been abandoned in the search for a better school experience but there are fallback plans in case of new outbreaks.

Sage, the group of scientists advising the government on Covid measures, warned “it is highly likely” high levels of the virus will be seen in schools in England by the end of the month.

The return to school comes after a recommendation that healthy children aged 12-15 are not routinely vaccinated against Covid.

A final decision has yet to be made, however, as senior health figures will be asked to consider wider social issues and not just the science.

Will pupils be tested for Covid?

Year 11 pupils get tested before returning to school next week at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth, England. Getty Images
Year 11 pupils get tested before returning to school next week at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth, England. Getty Images
Year 7 pupils arrive at Great Academy Ashton in Manchester as schools reopen after the summer holidays. AP Photo
Year 7 pupils arrive at Great Academy Ashton in Manchester as schools reopen after the summer holidays. AP Photo
Year 7 pupils at Great Academy Ashton. Millions of children are returning to school across Britain with new air and virus-testing regimes aimed at preventing an explosion of cases among the least vaccinated section of the population. AP Photo
Year 7 pupils at Great Academy Ashton. Millions of children are returning to school across Britain with new air and virus-testing regimes aimed at preventing an explosion of cases among the least vaccinated section of the population. AP Photo
Schools are no longer expected to keep children in segregated bubbles, and face coverings are no longer advised in classrooms. AP Photo
Schools are no longer expected to keep children in segregated bubbles, and face coverings are no longer advised in classrooms. AP Photo
A Year 11 pupil getting tested at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth. Getty Images
A Year 11 pupil getting tested at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth. Getty Images
The return of pupils to schools in England is likely to bring a “significant surge” in Covid-19 infections, epidemiologist Neil Ferguson said. Getty Images
The return of pupils to schools in England is likely to bring a “significant surge” in Covid-19 infections, epidemiologist Neil Ferguson said. Getty Images
Pupils at Copthall School, In Mill Hill, Barnet, are tested for Covid-19 ahead of their return to school. Getty Images
Pupils at Copthall School, In Mill Hill, Barnet, are tested for Covid-19 ahead of their return to school. Getty Images
Test staff carry out the Covid-19 testing for Year 11 pupils at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth. Getty Images
Test staff carry out the Covid-19 testing for Year 11 pupils at Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth. Getty Images

Secondary school pupils in England will be asked to take two lateral flow tests a week.

Any student testing positive will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace and asked to isolate.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pupils are being asked to take community-based or at-home tests.

In all four UK nations, pupils at home will be encouraged to take lateral flow tests.

What happens when a pupil tests positive?

A pupil stands at a Covid testing station at a secondary school in Sheffield. AP
A pupil stands at a Covid testing station at a secondary school in Sheffield. AP

Children testing positive should isolate at home for 10 days.

Pupils named as close contacts of the child will take a PCR swab test but will not be asked to isolate unless they also test positive.

The system is intended to avoid entire classes being sent home after the first positive test.

What happens to social distancing and face masks?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, social distance decisions are now made by head teachers, as national guidance has been relaxed.

Heads will make decisions depending on the crowd control elements they can implement.

In Scotland, teachers are required to keep a 1-metre distance from pupils and colleagues.

Rules on face coverings are also being relaxed but the home nations are adopting different speeds.

In England and Wales, from the start of term, face masks are recommended only for crowded spaces, perhaps corridors, and school buses.

In Scotland, face masks will stay in place until at least the end of the month, while in Northern Ireland, face masks will be compulsory in classes for at least six weeks.

What happens if there is a school outbreak?

For England, the Department for Education says temporary measures can be implemented, such as "bubbles" or outside assemblies.

Face mask rules may also change if there is an outbreak.


THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

ENGLAND TEAM

England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Remaining fixtures
  • August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
  • September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Mountain%20Boy
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zainab%20Shaheen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Naser%20Al%20Messabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships

2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds

2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58

2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified

2012 London Olympics 9.63

2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77

2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79

2016 Rio Olympics 9.81

2017 London World Championships 9.95

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

What is a calorie?

A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.

One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.

A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.

Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.

Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram. 

While you're here
'Nightmare Alley'

Director:Guillermo del Toro

Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh400%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: September 06, 2021, 12:08 PM`
Coronavirus