This page contains ongoing information regarding school during the coronavirus pandemic.
At the bottom of the page you will find links to letters, risk assessments and useful information. Of course, the school office team are always on hand to help, as are our teaching staff.
We have now entered Stage 4 of the Government’s Road Map through the Coronavirus Pandemic meaning that most things in school can return to normal alongside stringent hygiene practices: regular, thorough hand washing, catching coughs and sneezes and enhanced cleaning.
Should covid cases rise in our locality, we will use our contingency plan to make required changes to ways of working. This can be found below.
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
We would like to encourage all parents to consider taking up the offer of protection with two doses of the covid vaccine. You can book through the NHS portal
Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you have any concerns about the vaccine then please find links to the NHS Kernow website which has some Frequently Asked Questions to help you.
COVID-19 vaccine – Frequently asked questions – NHS Kernow CCG – NHS Kernow CCG
Symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- A new, continuous cough, and/or
- A temperature, and/or
- A loss of, or change to, sense of test and/or smell.
If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111. For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- Keep indoor spaces as well ventilated as possible – let the fresh air in, even if for a short period a day
From 1 April, routine testing will no longer be expected in all education and children’s social care settings. This is part of the government’s plan to remove remaining restrictions on society while protecting the most vulnerable from COVID-19.
Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said:
As we learn to live with Covid, we are focusing our testing provision on those at higher risk of serious outcomes from the virus, while encouraging people to keep following simple steps to help keep themselves and others safe.
Below we answer your questions on the end of testing in education.
What’s changing?
Regular asymptomatic testing in mainstream settings hasn’t been recommended since February. From Friday 1 April we will no longer be recommending regular asymptomatic testing in SEND, Alternative Provision and Children Social Care Settings. In the event of an outbreak, a local health protection team may advise some targeted outbreak testing in residential SEND settings.
Why do you no longer recommend Covid testing in schools, colleges or other education settings?
Following expert advice, we now know that Covid presents a low risk of serious illness to most children and young people, and most of those who are fully vaccinated.
Due to high immunity in society, a greater understanding of the virus and improved access to treatments, we can now focus on how we live with COVID-19.
That means we don’t expect pupils or staff in education settings to routinely test themselves for COVID-19.
Outbreak testing will be available in residential SEND settings where it is advised by the local health protection team, especially to counteract the risk of closure due to staff absence
We continue to encourage young people to get vaccinated. If your child has not been vaccinated, you can read more about the vaccine programme here.
Should my child still go to their childcare or education setting if they test positive for Covid?
No. From 1 April, anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result will be advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be three days.
All settings should have in place baseline infection prevention and control measures that will help to manage the spread of infection:
- Ensuring all eligible groups are enabled and supported to take up the offer of national vaccination programmes including COVID-19 and flu.
- Ensuring occupied spaces are well-ventilated and let fresh air in.
- Reinforcing good hygiene practices such as hand washing and cleaning.
Can my child still get a Covid-19 vaccine?
Parents can book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment online or by speaking to their GP or calling 119. Alternatively, they can find a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination site.
From April, healthy 5-11 year olds will also be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations will take place outside of schools in vaccination centres, pharmacies, GPs and walk-in centres. Parents of 5-11 year olds will receive a letter from the NHS with further information. Online bookings for 5-11 year olds will open in April.
If your child is required to stay home due to illness.
We are committed to ensuring our children are kept safe and well whilst also ensuring any disruption to learning is kept to a minimum. If your child is required to stay home, we are using the platform Google Classrooms in order to deliver teaching and learning that meets the same quality as in school. We are committed to ensuring restricted attendance at school does not prevent our children from accessing the complete curriculum, or falling behind in their learning. If you are finding it difficult to access the learning at home, for whatever reason, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have already lent out our DfE and school Chromebooks: please let us know if this is something you need help with.
We have used Google Classroom for the past term in school and our children are familiar with it. We have been delighted to see children as young as five navigate the screen and join in with live lessons where these are delivered. This is their world! Remember, it is important to build in screen breaks and ensure you have as much time outside as you are allowed. Technology is a tool for life, not a tool we live for.
This page is constantly being updated.
Important numbers
MULTI-AGENCY REFERRAL UNIT:
03001231116
OUT OF HOURS:
01208 251300
Early Help Hub:
01872 322277
School Nurse:
Sue Law 01579 373611
Designated Child Protection Lead:
Shelley England 01579 344042
Deputy Child Protection Lead:
Rosy Soady 01579 344042
Family Liaison Officer:
Rosy Soady 01579 344042
Attendance Officer:
Zaida Rey Blasco 01579 342344 ex 174
Family Plus Team:
01872 322200
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