Covid cases in Cambridgeshire schools are now at their highest since the start of the pandemic.

Over the last month County Council officers have been busy interpreting Department for Education updates and sharing these with schools.  This has included Ofsted deferral arrangements, information on new laptops for schools, funding for supply cover, and transport requirements. 

The Council has also updated guidance for schools on attendance during this period of the pandemic. 

The announcement from the Prime Minister on Wednesday has not fundamentally changed the approach for education. All secondary school age pupils will be tested when they return to school. Secondary schools will be allowed a staggered start for the first week of term. The impact of Omicron is likely to lead to further measures in schools and Council officers plan to brief heads early in the new term. 

The County Council is allocating vouchers to eligible families on 17 December from the Household Support grant.  Each eligible pupil will be allocated £30 for each eligible parent. The Council is issuing letters, and translating them into the languages spoken by the highest numbers of eligible families. Two of these translations were done by County Councillors.

In addition to the food vouchers, the Household Support Fund also offers help with food, energy bills and other essentials to those earning less than £17,940 or on certain benefits. More information about the Household Support Fund here.