Ministers are looking to change the rules around self-isolation in the England's schools

The transcript discusses the impact of COVID-19 on schools, highlighting the disruption caused by student isolations and parental concerns. It mentions a new testing regime being trialed to reduce isolation days, allowing students to attend school while undergoing daily tests. The government is considering implementing this system more widely to minimize educational disruption. The least vaccinated population, school children, are seen as a key group for virus transmission, but as more people get vaccinated, the need to maintain normal school operations grows.

What was the immediate impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at Ulster Grammar School?

• All students were sent home.

• A third of the students were asked to stay home.

• The school was closed indefinitely.

• Only teachers were asked to isolate.

How many children across England were not attending school due to COVID-19?

• 250,000

• 100,000

• 375,000

• 500,000

What concern did Year 10 students have regarding their education during the pandemic?

• The quality of online lessons

• The format of their GCSE exams

• The length of the school year

• The availability of teachers

What is the new system being trialed in some schools to handle COVID-19 cases?

• Daily testing for close contacts

• Sending entire classes home

• Closing schools temporarily

• Vaccinating all students

What is the government's main goal in considering the new testing system?

• To increase vaccination rates

• To reduce the number of teachers

• To minimize disruption to school life

• To close schools more efficiently