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 will return to school on Monday 23rd November.  Please note their 14-day isolation period is based on the last date the last Year 10 student that tested positive was in school on Monday 9th 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 to limit any further chance of transmission. 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.  They will continue their education attending lessons remotely live on MS Teams from tomorrow. Please can I say how proud we are with the response from students and staff who continue to show such, resilience and maturity at this challenging time but particularly for their support.

This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. We are fully staffed and looking forward to continuing your son/daughter’s education.  As I made you all aware earlier this week, we have just one member of staff currently self-isolating.  I believe in being open and transparent with you as we have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and hugely appreciate the support and confidence you have in St George throughout this time. The measures in place to mitigate risk are robust and being consistently applied across the school, entirely supported by our students which we are all very grateful for.  If you have any questions please get in touch.

The school remains open to all students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 11.  Providing your child remains well, they should continue to attend school as normal.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and 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. 

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’.

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

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.

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

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your 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 James Habberley

Headteacher