Coronavirus – Changes to events, possible closure options and self-isolation

General information and events changes

blankThe government have decided to keep schools open, and that is what we are aiming to do!

We want to keep you informed of our actions and decisions.

We are working hard to keep school as normal as possible. Staff are making plans, including having work available for children at home on a daily basis should we partially or fully close.

We also need to be sensible and recognise the severity of the situation, and do our part to help.

Therefore, we will not be having large gatherings such as whole school worship or key stage worship. We will still retain a sense of worship, but on a smaller scale. This is an important part of our school day. Further:

  • The Year 3/4 Easter performance will be changing. We have decided that Year 3 will not be taking part (they were supporting with singing), and the Year 4 performance will happen in a different way (which we are still working on). Watch this space.
  • After school clubs and “SCL After School Care” are still taking place.
  • Friday morning orchestra is cancelled until further notice.
  • We will not be attending sports events/competitions at local schools (netball, hockey, football etc).
  • Sadly, the orchestra and choir event at QMC on Saturday 21st March has been cancelled. We know the children will be disappointed.
  • Parents’ Evenings for 1C this week will still go ahead. No shaking hands, and don’t be offended by sitting 2m away from Mrs Carter!

Please keep an eye on your emails (including spam/junk folders), as this will be our primary form of communication. This links into our website and Facebook pages too.

If your child is absent, please use the normal absence processes each day. Alternatively, please use our online form here.

 

Possible School Closure Options

If directed by Public Health England or the DfE, we will close the school. However, insufficient staffing levels due to illness may also necessitate a partial or full closure.  We have considered a phased plan with the options below.

Please be ready with a plan for your child care if needed. If options 2-5 have to be put in place, we will let you know by text, email and via the website.

Some of the options below may result in your child being taught in other classes, by different teachers, and with a mix of children. If they have Special Needs (or an EHCP), we will do our upmost to ensure their provision is in place, but can not guarantee ‘normal service’.

If your child has health issues that make them particularly vulnerable, please have a discussion with us.

The closure options are as follows:

Option 1 – ​School open as normal – the default option!

  • All pupils attend if well
  • All staff attend if well

Option 2 – ​Staffing is predicted to be low. School will be open to the following children only, assuming they are not unwell:

  • Year 6 pupils and their siblings
  • Year 2 pupils and their siblings
  • Children who are not able to stay at home because of parental work commitments

Option 3 – ​Staffing is predicted to be critically low

  • Only children who are not able to stay at home (because of parental work commitment) should come in.
  • Bridge parents – we will communicate with you directly, although Bridge provision unlikely to be open.
  • All children will have work to do – some may need to do it at home though. Instructions will be given.

Option 4 – Insufficient staff for safe opening of the site

  • School will be closed to all children.
  • All children will have work to do – some may need to do it at home though. Instructions will be given.

Option 5 – ​The school has been instructed to close by LA/Government

  • The school will be closed to all children and staff
  • Staff will be directed to work at home.
  • All children will have work to do – some may need to do it at home though. Instructions will be given.

We are advised that, in the overwhelming majority of situations, there is absolutely no need to close schools or send pupils or staff home.  Obviously, there would be action to be taken in the event of a positive test, but even then our local Health Protection Team will help us stabilise the situation. The government is mindful of the strain on public services like the NHS that would be caused by key workers having to stay home and look after their children as a result of school closures. It is a balancing act!

 

Showing symptoms during a school day?

If your child, or a member of staff for that matter, is demonstrating symptoms during the school day, we will put them into a friendly isolation room. We will contact parents quickly, so please do respond to school calls/messages asap. Thank you.

 

Self-Isolating

Taken from the NHS website – Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms. Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

  • a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

Read the NHS advice about staying at home.

If you have these symptoms, then you must now take steps to stay at home and may not leave your house for seven days from when your symptoms started. This will help to protect others in the community while you are infectious. Anyone displaying symptoms should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 

If you need to self-isolate, you do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you are staying at home and Public Health England will not be testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms. If you continue to be ill after 7 days, then you must then contact 111 to get advice.

You must report your absence in the normal way by phoning or emailing the school office, giving reasons for the absence.

You can view the guidance around self-isolation here.

If you have any concerns, you can call the DfE helpline Phone: 0800 046 8687 or email them between 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday).

If you have health conditions that make you vulnerable, please do speak to a member of the senior leadership team.