Self Isolation for All Year 10

12th November 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Today, we have been informed that a third student in Year 10 has now tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, all three students are recovering well and only have mild symptoms.  We have followed the national guidance, and with the support of Public Health England, the Local Authority and the Department of Education hotline, I have made the decision to ask all Year 10 students to stay at home and self-isolate to mitigate any future risk to our students and staff. 

Therefore, all Year 10 students should return to school on Monday 23rd November 2020. Please note the 14-day isolation period is based on the last date the last student that tested positive was in school on Monday 9th November 2020.  We do apologise for the disruption this may cause you.

Therefore, your son or daughter will only miss six school days. We expect all Year 10 students to log on remotely to their lessons from tomorrow, which will be delivered live via MS Teams. They should follow their normal timetable and attend their lessons as normal but remotely. Our home learning package is well established and has been in place since March this year.  Therefore, we are highly confident we can continue continuity of education until Monday 23rd November 2020. 

On investigation of the three cases with Public Health England we do not believe they are related but I believe it is important we take proportionate and measured action just in case to limit any further chance of transmission. There are currently no other positive cases in any other year group. I have spoken to all students and staff this afternoon explaining what has happened, what we as a community are going to do to challenge it and the plan for Year 10 for the next six school days. We are so proud of the response from students and staff who continue to show such, resilience and maturity at this challenging time.

Other members of your household and siblings can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14-day self-isolation period. If they do develop symptoms, they should take a test.  This means if your son/daughter has a sibling at school they can still come to school.

Please see the link to: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

People who do not have symptoms should not request a test unless this has been specifically requested by Public Health England or the Local Authority.

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.  This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.  Please see the link to the PHE ‘Stay at Home’ Guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature and/or
  • a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. 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.

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

Further Information

Further information is available at

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

Yours sincerely,

Mr J Habberley

Headteacher

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