CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Coronavirus impact
This page will be updated as regularly as possible with information regarding the spread of coronavirus, and its impact on school.
(Last update Wednesday 28 September 2022)
FAQ on “Changes to measures and guidance for managing COVID-19 in education and childcare setting from Friday 1st April 2022”
- Should adults and children with symptoms get a test?
Access to free testing has now ended. Anyone showing symptoms may take a test if they can, either from kits they have at home or by buying them but it is not mandatory and schools should not ask for evidence of a positive test. Schools will not be provided with routine test kits as these will only be provided for staff who work very closely with clinically vulnerable individuals who are at risk of serious illness
- How long should someone stay away from school who has symptoms but does not have a positive test?
Staff and children should not attend if they have a high temperature and/or feel too unwell to carry out their normal activities. They should return when their temperature is normal and they are well enough to carry out their normal activities.
- Can children attend school/setting if they have symptoms but no temperature?
Children with slight cough, sore throat or runny nose can attend as long as they are well enough to carry out normal activities and do not have a raised temperature.
In such cases, they should be supported to follow the advice re. respiratory hygiene such as coughing/sneezing into tissues and regular handwashing.
- How is the stay at home period counted for those who have a positive test?
For a person with a positive test, the stay at home period is full days from the first symptom or positive test which is counted as day 0. For example,if a child has no symptoms but has a positive test on Monday then Tuesday is day 1, Weds day 2, Thurs day 3 and they can return on Friday if they are still well and their temperature is normal.
- Is a negative LFT needed before an individual can return to school/setting?
No – an individual can return after the advised number of days as long as they are well.
- Can a pupil or staff attend if they feel well and/or have no symptoms but have a positive test?
No, the guidance is clear that they should stay away for a set number of days, even if they are well and symptom free. They may be infectious during this time so coming into school/setting poses a high risk of passing the infection on to others. If this creates a problem with business continuity, then please contact the COVID helpline or inbox who will be able to explore each case and give specific advice.
- Will there be further access to test kits?
If there are high levels of absence which may be COVID related or if there are vulnerable individuals involved then further test kits may be issued after discussion with the COVID/Public Health teams.
- What advice can be given to staff and parents/carers on what to do if they have a respiratory infection, (including COVID-19)
Guidance for people with symptoms of respiratory infections, including COVID-19
- What should be done with the remaining stock of kits?
If schools have stocks of kits they should follow the national advice, which is not to issue unless advised to do so by the COVID/Public Health teams.
Secondary schools with large number of mass testing kits are asked to inform the COVID team of the number of kits they hold before destroying them as they may be reallocated to support outbreaks or to those working with vulnerable individuals.
- What if schools have concerns or need further advice?
Schools and settings can contact the COVID team for advice and are asked to report all occasions when any of the following occur.
- There is a rapid rise in absence in a class/group due to respiratory illnesses.
- There is an absence rate of 20% or more in a class or group due to respiratory illnesses.
- A child or adult is admitted to hospital
- Confirmed or possible cases are seen in groups involving clinically vulnerable individuals
- Staff absence is having an impact on business continuity
The reporting form will be revised to capture this information but the link will be unchanged.
January 2022 Please see letters below informing you of current updates.
School reopens on 8 March. Please see the letter below with the detail about our return.
Please see letter re National Lockdown and Critical Worker and Vulnerable learners 4.01.21 (Listed below)
SEE NEW POSTER FOR PARENTS (See Below) 18.9.20
LATEST UPDATE: COMMON COLDS, CLICK THE LINK BELOW-NHS page 6.9.20
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT WHETHER YOUR CHILD HAS A COLD, BUT IS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, SEEK 111 ADVICE AND ARRANGE A TEST. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.
Details about how to get a test can be found hovering over the 'Coronavirus Update' tab under Key Information.
See 'UPDATED: Returning in September' below.
Video re schools re-opening- scroll to the foot of the page)
NEW RISK ASSESSMENT (See below) 1.9.20
This will be reviewed and updated regularly.
Parents are advised to read the government's guidance on staying at home in the case of suspected coronavirus infection. This is based on the most significant symptoms of:
- new continuous cough, and/or
- high temperature (37.8°C)
- loss or change of taste or smell
If children, or anyone in your household develop either of these symptoms, they should be kept at home for a period of 14 days from the onset of the symptoms. (This guidance can be found by hovering over the Key Information, Corinavirus Update tab on the website)
Any further available information will be provided on this page as and when it is available.
Up-to-date information on the actions taken by Public Health England are available on their website:
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
Click the link below to see this video from the BBC on children's questions...
