How one North Yorkshire school has stepped up efforts to protect against coronavirus

Pupils at Harrogate Ladies’ College returned to classes this week for the first time as a whole school since March.

The school has been busy putting a series of safety measures in place ahead of the start of term including being the first school in the UK to invest in a treatment called envira-shielding throughout the college buildings.

Typically used throughout operating theatres, Harrogate Ladies College have invested in the process throughout shared spaces in school, including communal areas such as classrooms, corridors and common rooms.

Sylvia Brett, Principal of Harrogate Ladies College, said the school decided to undertake the addition measure as part of the college's return to school safety procedures and to add an additional level of protection alongside the existing intensive cleaning routines being undertaken daily.

Mrs Brett said: "As we welcome our girls back to college this week we’re aware that these are unusual and potentially unsettling times for many.

"We’re confident that the additional measures we have put in place to help reduce virus transmission will reassure our school community and allow them to regain a sense of normality through learning together once again.”

"The safety and wellbeing of our whole school community remains our utmost priority. Whilst the new school year will be a little different, we are committed to doing everything we can to make the experience as positive and near to normal as possible whilst ensuring pupil and staff safety at all times."

The protective coating stops viruses from sticking to fixed surfaces with regular swabbing taking place between coatings to ensure that the shield remains intact.

The envira-shielding is an additional measure put in place by Harrogate Ladies College alongside the regular intensive cleaning routines taking place daily around the school in line with government guidelines.

Chris Briscoe, the estates manager for Harrogate Ladies’ College, said: "It seemed to be a good solution, that would enable us not to disrupt the school time table too much and when you add the fact that it not only prevents covid but also for other viruses as well meant it was a really good solution for us.

"Schools are under a lot of pressure, in terms of cleaning - so to have that additional coating and protection... its that peace of mind as well.

Throughout the college there will be reduced movement of pupils around schools, with classes and year groups staying in designated zones, also know as "bubbles".

Mr Briscoe added: "The key thing is it is enabling us to run as normally as possible during these difficult times with coronavirus."

In earlier education developments

Schools are beginning to return in England and Wales since last week with a mix of starting dates, with some schools having training days as staff prepare for new safety measures.

- A major research project to track coronavirus infections in schools and help head teachers prevent disruption is being piloted in Bristol.

The study aims to understand exactly how pupils transmit the virus, whether they are symptomatic of not. The University of Bristol study will saliva test 4,000 pupils and 1,000 staff from schools across the city once a month for six months.

It comes as some schools across the country have sent groups of pupils home to self-isolate after positive cases were found.

Some have had to close temporarily for deep cleaning in an attempt to manage the risks.

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