28th June 2021
Letter from Miss Smith 28 June 2021
28 June 2021
Keeping our school community safe
Dear Parents and Carers.
You will all be aware of the increase in cases in the local community and around the Bradford, Calderdale and Lancashire areas. As a school we have done very well since reopening on 8th March and we all really appreciate the support of all of our families since this time in keeping our community safe.
However, over the last few school days, as local Primary schools have had to close fully, or send bubbles home, the reminder that Covid 19 is still out there has once again come to the fore.
Towards the end of the week and today, we have had cases in each year group in school (Y7-10 and Y12) and have had to send a number of children home to isolate. We will continue to follow the rules set by Public Health England for schools and also the Department for Education. I wanted to clarity a few points.
- Children must wear face masks in school in shared spaces like stairwells, the dining area and on corridors. They do not need to wear masks outside. They are also not required to wear masks in our classroom. National rules do not say this at this current time. If you would like your child to wear a mask in the classroom too, please encourage them to do so.
- Please complete lateral flow tests on a Sunday evening and Wednesday evening if possible.
- If your child is showing symptoms, please keep them at home. Details below.
- If a child is at home self-isolating, their work will be set on Teams by their teacher so that they do not get behind. We cannot deliver live lessons as we did when schools were on lock down and delivering a remote service. We have all of the children in school and in our classrooms and this is not possible.
- Please use the office email address on this letter if you have any questions or concerns as this will be the quickest way. Our phone lines are busy at times, we are not ignoring you!
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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 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’. The 10-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 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community. If you are able can, 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:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 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/
Thank you for your help and support.
Yours sincerely
Tina Smith
Headteacher
