Private schools back in september come what may

I know this isn't relevant to the thread really as I'm talking about state Secondary MAT trusts but, I know that our own MAT couldn't close until the Gov 'advised' because it would invalidate all their insurance including travel insurance needed to pay out for all the overseas trips cancelled.

I find it hard to believe that private schools have vastly different terms of insurance. However I may be completely wrong of course.

I read that article earlier, but of course it's behind a paywall now, so trying to remember the details. It was something about during a High Court challenge on all the lockdown measures it came to light that the Government hadn't actually made it law for schools to close, only advice. Therefore if schools can show that they can socially distance, and meet the health & safety requirements there is no reason why they shouldn't re-open. And yes the article did mention that some of them were looking into their own track and trace systems etc. The insurance is the big issue I think.

The problem for boarding schools is that the government have given no guidance.

My daughter attends a vocational school with a mixture of day students & boarders. The boarding houses are off site. In addition Upper School (6th form) have a mixture of those who commute, those who live with host families & those who live in Private student Halls of residences.

Yes agreed Notcontent.

I know private schools are well, private, but that does not mean they are above the law?

Private schools are private businesses so the government cannot dictate to them in the same way as state schools.

Based on that reasoning, the government would not be able to dictate to shops, gyms, restaurants, hotel, etc. The reason they are able to dictate, is that special legislation was enacted, the Coronavirus Act, giving the government the power to give directions to schools, shops, etc.

Private schools are private businesses so the government cannot dictate to them in the same way as state schools.
Generally most or all will follow the gov advice for the state sector as to not do so leaves them at risk of being sued used should a child or teacher fall sick for lack of care or similar.

Private schools have to deliver their own budgets, while state schools do not. I suspect that may have much to do with it.

If they can comply with SD and hygiene requirements then why not? Our local school has large tents on the playing field, to give extra classroom space. Necessity being the mother of invention and all that.

A local private school is taking yr 7 back next week - is this within govt guidelines or not, I am not sure?

I find that rather puzzling. (And I am a lawyer!)

They are not insured if they don’t follow government guidelines according to our private school. They would rather have taken Y5 back for example in the first cohort that came back because of the senior school exam prep they do but could not. Y5 is however going back on Monday now that the government effectively said schools can do as they please as long as they stick to 2m apart etc. In September it will be no different - they will be able to take as many children as possible within the government guidelines.

Sorry - meant to say they could not decide to let everyone come back now.

It’s the same rules for everyone - just like a private gym would not be able to open right now.

Milicent - I am pretty sure they do have to comply with government guidance. So, for example, they could not decide to let everyone comeback. Buy I suppose if the government says that all year groups can go back in September, subject to certain safety measures, then private schools might have more flexibility about how they implement those measures.

I'm a school Governor under a MAT. We've done our own risk assessments to but we still have wait and see what the gov guidelines are.

Do private schools not have to adhere to government guidelines then?

I can only see the first paragraph of the article as The Telegraph has a pay wall. However, I think it’s not that simple. My dd goes to a private girls school and I am sure she will be back in September in some form but unless something changes significantly before then it’s not likely to be completely back to normal.

For example, I am sure there are some teachers who may be vulnerable and who may be unable to come back to the classroom.