LAST UPDATED 27th January 2022

What measures have you got in place?

• We will still be ensuring hand hygiene and regular cleaning of hands. Children will be told to wash their hands at regular intervals during the day.
• Classrooms and other rooms may still be ventilated with open windows.
• Masks are still being worn in communal areas
• Enhanced cleaning throughout the school.
• Staff will still be encouraged to take two LFD tests at home every week

For more information from the government about what schools need to do CLICK HERE

Are school doing contact tracing?

Schools no longer need to do contact tracing, NHS Test and Trace will contact people who need to self isolate.

Children will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone that has tested positive, instead they will be advised to do Lateral Flow Tests for 5days.

Children that show symptoms, however mild, need to stay at home and get a PCR test.

Children that develop symptoms at school will be isolated and families will be contacted to take them home and get a PCR test.

Isolation is 5days following a positive test result with a Lateral Flow Test. If your child has symptoms and won't tolerate a test, they will need to isolate for at least 10days to ensure they are not spreading the virus. 

If they will tolerate a test and they test negative on day 5 and day 6 then they can return to school on day 6. If they are still testing positive, they need to isolate for the 10days and can return to school on day 11 unless they have a temperature or are too ill. 

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:

• A high temperature (this means hot to touch on chest or back, clammy, red cheeked, or above 37.8 °C)
• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• A loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

They will be moved to the medical room with a member of staff wearing appropriate PPE whilst their parent/carer is phoned to collect them. The student should self-isolate for 10 days and arrange to have a PCR test.

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, they must self-isolate, arrange to have a test, and notify the school.

Do you still have to wear masks at school?

Our students were all exempt from wearing masks unless they wanted to, so that hasn't changed. Staff are still being asked to wear masks in communal areas. We ask that visitors still wear masks unless exempt. 

Are groups going out now?

Yes, small groups are going out to public areas. These have been risk assessed and Covid measures are being followed for each particular setting.

What is happening about the Lateral Flow Testing in school?

Rapid tests have been available in school to staff since January.

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. Please let the school know if you need more Lateral Flow Tests.

What happens about transport if my child has to self-isolate?

Schools no longer need to do contact tracing. You will need to contact your child's taxi to let them know when they will be off school and when they will return. You also need to let the school know when they will be off school and when they will return.

What happens about school work if my child has to self isolate?

During this period of unusual and uncertain times where students may need to isolate 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.

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.

Will my child be safe in school?

We have followed and continue to follow all government guidance. CLICK HERE for more government guidance