Dear Parents, Students and Staff

We have been made aware of a member of our school community has tested positive for (COVID 19).

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child or yourself. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The children in the year group (Year 10) who have been in close contact or possible contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days. The year group have been asked to self-isolate as the options model means children are moving between classes to access their chosen subjects rather than remaining in a closed bubble group as in Years 7 and 8.

The school remains open and your child and staff should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

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/.

Thank you for your support.  These are challenging times and we continue to do all we can to ensure learning can continue and children remain safe within school.

Yours faithfully

 Liz Cook, Headteacher

Covid 19 – Letter to Parents Staff and Students wholeschool.