What is happening about the Lateral Flow Testing in school?
Rapid tests have been available in school to staff since January, and we have had 100% negative results.
Home Test Kits have been given to all students and staff who wish to take part. These tests should be done on a Wednesday evening and a Sunday evening. There is a guidebook on how to register the results to the government. You only need to let the school know if you get a positive result.
What happens about transport if my child has to self-isolate?
We will contact the Transport Teams, but this message may not get to the taxi drivers in time, so please also contact your child's taxi driver to let them know when they will be off and when they will return.
Why do you let us know at such short notice about shutting bubbles?
Unfortunately, we get notified of a confirmed COVID-19 case at any time of day or night and we need to act swiftly, we try our upmost to share information as quickly and efficiently as possible. We understand this can be frustrating and appreciate organising childcare can be difficult. We are grateful for your support in trying to keep our whole school community as safe as possible as soon as possible. Please check your texts, emails, school app and school website to get the latest information.
Why can't I book a test for my child and finish the isolation before the 10 days?
The 10 day isolation period for everyone that comes into close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 is government advice. This is because it can take 10 days for symptoms to appear, so you cannot end the 10 day period by having a negative test result. You need to continue to isolate for 10 days even if you have a negative test result within this 10 day period.
Am I allowed to go to work and my other children go to school when my child has to self-isolate?
Only the people that came into close contact with the positive COVID-19 case need to self-isolate. Other household members of students self-isolating do not need to self-isolate, unless they develop symptoms. Anyone that develops symptoms in your household needs to isolate for 10days from when the symptoms were first displayed and book a test.
What does close contact mean?
The government definition of close contact can be found on their website CLICK HERE
What happens about school work if my child has to self isolate?
During this period of unusual and uncertain times where bubbles may need to be closed at very short notice, class school work can be found on your child's class page if you feel this is suitable for your child during any periods of isolation. As a school we understand this may not be suitable for all students but we welcome any feedback from parents which can be sent directly to the class team via the class email address or contact form found on the class page.
What if my child has a cold?
If your child has a cold and you would normally send them in to school, you should continue to send them in to school. If they have a cold and are too unwell to attend school, you must notify the school each day that your child is not in school.
If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, you must self-isolate, arrange to have a test, and notify the school.
What happens if someone has symptoms of COVID-19?
Many of our students would not be able to express that they are suffering from symptoms. It is the staff working with them who will monitor each student. If a student begins to present with symptoms such as:
What will classes look like?
The government guidelines state settings should assess their circumstances and look to implement ‘bubbles’ of an appropriate size, to achieve the greatest reduction in contact and mixing, without unduly limiting the quality of breadth of teaching, or access for support and specialist staff and therapists. This means we have changed our bubble groups back to classes instead of departments:
Bubble 1 – Orkney
Bubble 2 - Bute
Bubble 3 - Lewis
Bubble 4 - Barra
Bubble 5 - Stronsay
Bubble 6 - Taransay
Bubble 7 - Mull
Bubble 8 - Skye
Bubble 9 - Jura
Bubble 10 - Iona
Bubble 11 - Campus - Shetland, Arran and Islay
Will there be staggered start and finish times?
Unfortunately we are not in a position to do this because of the nature of how our students are grouped and transported it wouldn't be possible. Please CLICK HERE for the guidance.
Will my child still get transport when they go to school?
Yes. Students are being transported with other students in their bubbles.
Derby City Transport and Derbyshire Transport have made adjustments to their provision.
If you are transporting your child yourself, please arrive by 8.50am - and collect your child from 2.50pm. Each car will wait whilst the car/minibus at the front empties and leaves until the last vehicle has left. This will be the same on leaving school, each vehicle will queue up, the one at the front will be filled, then leave, then the next filled and leave until all vehicles have left. If you are walking into school to drop off or collect your child, please stand at the markers on the floor to the side of reception and wait for a member of staff to direct your child from/to you.
Will my child be safe in school?
We have followed and continue to follow all government guidance. To read our changes in school please CLICK HERE.