The COVID Workforce Fund

With the government ruling out an extended Christmas break and determined to avoid any further school closures, they have announced a new source of funding for schools to help them stay open and fully staffed during the pandemic.

Announced on Friday 27th November, the fund, which will be backdated to 1st November covers the current half-term. It is designed for schools, colleges and Alternative Provisions facing significant funding pressure. It will cover the costs of high levels of staff absence to help ensure they can remain open.

This funding recognises the challenges schools have faced throughout the pandemic to maintain high quality education and support for their pupils. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

"Keeping schools and colleges open is a national priority, which is why I am launching the Covid workforce fund, to support schools and colleges facing significant budget pressures and staff absences. This new funding comes on top of our funding for schools facing exceptional costs during the summer months, the £1 billion Covid catch up fund to help all children make up for lost learning. I know how hard school and college staff and leaders have worked over the past nine months, and I want to once again thank everyone working in education for going above and beyond while we continue to deal with the extra pressures caused by the pandemic."

Schools and colleges will be able to reclaim costs incurred over the course of the current half-term, if they meet the following conditions:

Financial: Schools will first need to use any existing financial reserves, as they would typically expect when facing unforeseen costs. Schools will be eligible for this additional funding once they have used these down to a level at 4% of the annual income.

Absence rates: Mainstream schools will be eligible if they are experiencing a short-term teacher absence rate at or above 20%, and/or a lower long-term teacher absence rate at or above 10% . For special schools and Alternative Provision schools a short-term teacher absence rate at or above 15%, and/or a lower long-term teacher absence rate at or above 10%, to be eligible.

Teaching Personnel will provide schools with all the information they need to process any claims for this funding.

Schools across England and Wales are benefiting from Teaching Personnel's Covid Secure staffing measures. These measures include the development of a new Covid Secure Check-In app. Using the app, teachers and learning support staff must self-certify that they are symptom free and not isolating. This self-certification is completed before they are permitted to attend any school.

To discuss your current staffing needs or to find out more about our Covid Secure staffing measures, please contact your local branch.