Latest advice re Corona Virus - Parent letter 17th March 2020

                                              17th March 2020 

Dear parents and carers 

Apologies for the unusually long letter I want to provide you with as much up to date information as possible and let you know what we are doing in school in response to government advice.  The government advice around responding to the Corona virus is rapidly changing and we will continue to keep you updated. This letter covers: 

1. What to do if you choose as a household to self-isolate 

1. What we are doing as a school in response to the social distancing guidance 

1. What will happen in the event of the school having to close. 

1.What to do if you choose as a household to self-isolate. 

At present schools are to stay open however any households where a person has  

•  a fever (temperature 38.5 or higher) 

• a new continuous cough 

Should self-isolate for 14 days.  

•  try to keep at least 2 metres (3 steps) from other people in your home, particularly people over 70, or those with long-term health conditions 

•  ask friends, family and delivery services to deliver things like food shopping and medicines but leave them outside 

•  sleep alone, if possible 

•  regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds 

•  drink plenty of water and take everyday painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to help with your symptoms 

•  do not have visitors (ask people to leave deliveries outside) 

•  do not leave your home, for example to go for a walk, to school or to public places. 

2. What we are doing as a school in response to the social distancing guidance 

Social Distancing means: 

 Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough; 

Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible;  

Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs 

Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media. 

Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services. 

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as possible. 

As a school we are: 

• Cancelling all assemblies and non-core business visitors coming into school. This includes parent teacher meetings. 

• Cancelling swimming lessons and any trips out of school until further notice. 

• Cancelling school events e.g. Easter Disco. 

• Bringing children straight into school in the mornings from 8:40am to avoid gatherings on the playground and encouraging children and parents to leave promptly at the end of the day. 

• Staggering break and lunchtimes to limit the number of children on the playground.  

• Limiting the number of classes in the dining hall and some children will eat lunches in the classrooms. 

• Cancelling any outside after school clubs – our in house after school club will continue.  

• EYFS are staying in their classroom and separate playground – eating their lunches in the classroom.  

• Teaching children what social distancing and self-isolation means and encouraging regular hand washing sessions throughout the day.   

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.