Starting Back Tuesday 4th January
Dear Parents/Carers,
Happy New Year to you all-I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with your family and friends.
I understand that many of you will be concerned about the infection rates and covid spread when starting back tomorrow. Schools were issued with new advice from the DFE yesterday, addressing the difficulties this could bring about when the school re-opens. We have already faced staffing issues last term and worked our way around it, with our highly trained, excellent support staff, teachers being online and supply staff. I will do everything in my power to not to disrupt children’s learning in class.
Here is the current guidance from the DFE:
POSITIVE COVID TEST
Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason.
Individuals may now take Lateral Flow tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. This also applies to children under 5, with LAteral Flow testing at parental or guardian discretion. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to your education setting from day 8.
Anyone unable to take Lateral Flow tests will need to complete the entire 10 day period of self-isolation.
CLOSE CONTACTS of COVID-19
People who are fully vaccinated, or children aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months, identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, should take an Lateral Flow test every day for seven days and continue to attend their setting as usual unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time.
Children under 5 are not being advised to participate in daily testing of close contacts. If a child under 5 is a contact of a confirmed case, they are not required to self-isolate and should not start daily testing. If they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, they should limit their contact with anyone at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19 and arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible. They can continue to attend an education or childcare setting while waiting for the PCR result. If the test is positive, they should follow the stay-at-home guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
The current requirements on remote education continue to remain in place
As pupils return to schools following the holiday period, the current requirements for remote education continue to remain in place.
The Department for Education recognises that the high rates of COVID-19 may cause difficulties with the availability of staff. Our priority is to keep the school open and for pupils to continue with face-to-face education. Where workforce issues do arise, we will continue to do our best to use existing teaching, temporary and support staff more flexibly where required to ensure our school remains open.
What does this mean for BWIS?
-We will continue with the control measures we put in place last term in preparation for the rising cases.
-If your child is displaying any covid symptom (continuous cough, high temperature, loss of taste /smell) DO NOT send them to school, until they have had a negative PCR result. In young children at our school, children who have tested positive have also said their throat felt ‘scratchy’/headache/vomited. We are asking that parents continue to be vigilant about these symptoms too. If any child has/develops any covid related symptom when in school, they will be immediately isolated in our medical room and parents will need to come to collect ASAP and arrange for a PCR test. Please ensure at least one of your named emergency contacts are available to pick your child up in school hours.
- School clubs, lunch procedures and playtimes will also continue as usual - for the time being.
-Early Birds and TreeTops will run as normal from the Forest Room, at the moment.
- Staff and visitors will continue to wear FACE COVERINGS in communal areas of the school building and grounds. All parents are required to wear a face covering on site, when dropping off and picking up.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
VOLUNTARY REQUEST
In line with Bishops Waltham Junior School request today, we are asking parents to consider administering a Lateral Flow test for their children before we start back tomorrow. This is a voluntary request, and we will not be asking for evidence of any result. We understand they are in very short supply, so you may not have one at home. If you do and could do one, we would really appreciate it to try to limit the infection rates in our school.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call tomorrow morning after 10am.
Kind Regards
Mrs Riches
