We are aware how challenging the current levels of COVID are for schools across the city. We are hugely grateful for how hard you are working to minimise disruption but know that this continues to be extremely difficult.

All the most up to date Public Health documents for schools are available on the council’s website at this link. The documents include:

• Flowchart
• Checklist
• A comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions that covers issues including symptoms, testing and cleaning

At the same link is a document that sets out how to report Covid cases to Birmingham Public Health and explains the processes schools should follow and the actions to take when different thresholds are met.

All documents are kept under constant review and are updated whenever guidance changes so please ensure you access the documents from the website rather than saving them.

Completed checklists should be sent to contacttracing@birmingham.gov.uk. Schools can also access support from Education and Skills by contacting edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk.

Finally we have heard from several schools that they are continuing to experience difficulties in accessing supplies of LFD tests. This has been raised with the UK Health Security Agency and with senior officials at the DfE at our meetings with them. As soon as we have an update on the supply of tests for schools we will let you know.

Thank you again for everything you and your teams are doing, it is much appreciated.