Dear parents and carers
Following the updated advice from the government yesterday, I thought it would be helpful to summarise the latest position.
Firstly, whilst schools are remaining open for the time being at least, it seems prudent for students with public examinations coming up (i.e. Years 10, 11 and 13) to make sure they are prepared for any enforced school closure. In such an event, we will be ensuring plenty of materials are available online, via Show My Homework. However, it is important students also have at home hard copies of key revision materials such as revision booklets and knowledge organisers. Teachers are in the process of checking this with students at the moment, but we ask parents and carers to encourage your children to make sure they do have hard copies at home for all relevant subjects and to seek out their teacher if they do not.
We obviously hope we are not required by government to close at any point but, if we do, we will endeavour to set meaningful work for all year groups via Show My Homework. Clearly, the situation is changing all the time and the details of anything like this will be finalised as and when it is necessary.
The latest medical advice from government is as follows:
1. Anyone who shows certain symptoms should self-isolate for 7 days, regardless of whether they have travelled to affected areas. This means students should stay at home and avoid all but essential contact with others for 7 days from the point of displaying symptoms, to slow the spread of infection. The symptoms are:
* A high temperature (37.8 degrees and above) and/or
* A new, continuous cough
You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, then contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
Please just report any such absences to school using the normal systems.
- As per the current advice, the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands. Please reinforce this message with your children.
- Details of the latest advice regarding travel from affected countries can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk.
The main change since my last letter concerns people who have travelled from anywhere in Italy since 9th March.
Further details, including on self-isolation, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
I hope this is all clear. Please do contact school if you are unsure of anything; we just ask you to understand that we do not have access to any information that is not already publicly available and are merely following government guidelines.
Kind regards
Gwyn Williams