Children and School Posted or Updated on 11 Apr 2024

Do not send your child to their nursery, childminder, school or college if they are showing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms:

• a high temperature – a fever measuring 37.8C or above
• or a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
• OR someone in their household is showing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

Children with simple cold symptoms such as runny noses or sore throats without fever who would normally have attended schools in other times should not be tested for COVID-19 and can still go to school if not unwell.

Arrange a test only if you or your child or member of your household develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Inform your nursery, childminder, school or college of the results

For advice about other conditions that may mean your child needs to stay off school see here. If you are worried that your child is unwell use 111.nhs.uk or call 111 or contact your GP.