Warn & Inform Letter 31 Jan 2022
DFE Update Friday 14th January 2022
From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.
If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation.
Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available.
DFE Covid Update - 14 December 2021
New update from the DfE:
From Tuesday 14 December, a new national approach to daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 is being introduced. All adults who are fully vaccinated and children aged 5 to 18 years and 6 months, identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take a lateral flow device (LFD) test every day for 7 days instead of self-isolating. Daily testing by close contacts will help to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 will help protect education settings by reducing transmission and will also help keep pupils in face-to-face education.
Once notified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact, all eligible staff, pupils and students should take an LFD each day for 7 days and report the results through the Online Reporting System and to their setting. If they test negative, they can continue to attend their education setting.
COVID UPDATE 13 DECEMBER 2021
Dear Parent / Carer
PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THIS WEEK!
Unfortunately, over the weekend with have moved past the DFE threshold for the number of positive cases of Covid 19 in the last 10 days. This means that we are required to implement additional protective measures for the remainder of this term. In doing this we have tried to mitigate the risks towards children, parents and staff, whilst limiting the impact on our normal end of term activities. Please note that some of these changes would've come in anyway, following government decision to move to 'Plan B' in light of the Omicron variant.
Therefore, the following additional steps will be taken next week (please assume that these measures will remain in place in January):
- limit mixing between classes - Class 2 will eat lunch at 12:30pm.
- enhanced cleaning
- parents / carers required to wear a mask onsite (up the side path),
- staff will wear masks on gate and in communal areas, but not when teaching / working with children.
- we ask that parents / carers / staff maintain a 2m distance from each other
- assemblies will be virtual
- visitors to site must wear a mask
Specifically, this week
- Christingles will be made for the children
- Christmas Service on Tuesday will be virtual
- The Pantomine Trip will go ahead with additional measures
- distance where possible on coach and between our classes
- distance between other groups at the theatre.
- extra ventilation on coach
- staff will wear masks on coach
- school requests that where possible, children complete a lateral flow test on Tuesday Evening / Wednesday morning. We won't ask to see results, but kindly request that this is done to reduce the risk for everyone.
- The Christmas Production will now be recorded at 1:30pm - sorry no guests. There will not be 5pm performance.
We understand that for many of you this will be disappointing news, but we hope that you recognise that a balance has been struck here to get the best out of the current situation for the children, the staff, our community and yourselves as parents.
Please do not send your child to school with any Covid symptoms. If you or your child have symptoms, then book a PCR test and isolate. If you can get to testing centre, then results seem to be returned within 24hrs - postal tests can mean your child being absent for 3 or 4 days. Lateral Flow Tests are if you are asymptomatic. If you are eligible, and you haven't already then please book your Covid vaccination.
Finally, we currently have several staff absent, which restricts our effectiveness as a team. I would ask that parents to please bear with us this week and would like to thank the staff in school, who as always have been extremely flexible and professional during a challenging time.
Many Thanks
Mr T Nield
Covid.19 Update 30 November 2021
Dear Parent / Carer
With the arrival Omicron variant, steps have also been taken in school. The main change is that you will see staff wearing masks in communal areas and on the gate, when a 2-meter distance cannot be maintained. If you are entering the building, then please wear a mask. Please feel free to wear a mask up the side path. Staff will not be wearing masks during lessons or any interactions with the children.
We will continue to keep the rooms ventilated and ensure the children wash their hands regularly, while lunches will continue to be eaten in classrooms.
Please keep an eye out for Covid symptoms. If your child develops symptoms then you need to book a PCR test (not a Lateral Flow Test as these are for people without symptoms). If negative and your child is well, they can return to school. Where possible, please can parents visit a test site rather than ordering a postal test, as this reduces the time children spend absent from school.
We are reviewing options with the Christmas production and will inform parents once these plans have been considered.
Many Thanks
Mr T Nield