COVID-19 schools, special schools, early years settings and colleges update in Dorset
Find out if your school, college or education setting has been affected by COVID-19.
All students return to school and college from 8 March 2021. All secondary schools will have asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in place for students.
Read the government guidance for parents and carers about the wider reopening of schools and colleges.
In Dorset parents and carers can get a test:
If you're a parent or carer of a child at school or college you can pick up a home test kit to do yourself. Find more information on community testing on the Public Health Dorset website.
Face coverings in schools and educational settings
From Monday 17 May 2021 face coverings will no longer be necessary for pupils and students in classrooms or communal areas in all schools and educational settings. This will be the same for staff; they will not have to wear face coverings in the classroom.
In all schools and educational settings we still recommend that staff and visitors wear face coverings outside classrooms where social distancing is not possible, for example when moving around in corridors and communal areas.
Read government guidance on face coverings in education.
Testing for school pupils, parents and carers
Read about testing for school pupils on GOV.UK.
Read about testing for parents and carers on GOV.UK.
Free school meals
Free school meals are available for children whose parents or carers get financial support through benefits. Find out more about free school meals.
COVID-19 school transport updates
All school transport in Dorset will run as normal.
Young people will still be asked to wear a face covering, unless they're exempt, including students aged 11 or under. It's important students wear their masks for the whole journey, including when they're inside a bus or train station. Find out who is exempt from wearing a face covering.
Find out how we're following government guidance to make sure school transport is safe for your child.
Out-of-school activities, breakfast and after school clubs
Read the government advice on out-of-school activities, breakfast and after school clubs.
Consultation to reduce pupil admissions number at Gillingham Primary School
Dorset Council are consulting on the proposal to reduce the pupil admissions number (PAN) at Gillingham Primary School from 60 places to 30 places with effect from September 2022.
Find out more and have your say about this consultation.