Russell Group response to lifting of Covid restrictions in education settings

07 July 2021

In response to the Education Secretary’s announcement that further Covid restrictions in education settings in England will be lifted at Step 4, a Russell Group spokesperson said:

"Russell Group universities are looking forward to welcoming all students back on to campus this autumn. However, as the Prime Minister said, the pandemic is far from over. Given the need to minimise the risk of outbreaks at the start of the new term, our members have rightly been planning for a range of scenarios, as requested by the Department for Education.

"This means prioritising interactive, in-person teaching with most seminars, small group classes and lab work in-person. It also includes some scenarios where an element of online teaching continues – especially where this can be used to enhance learning, but also to provide the flexibility to respond to public health measures or local outbreaks while minimising disruption."