2nd December 2021
Covid-19 Update - 2 December 2021
Dear Parents/Carers
Covid-19 Update
As you may be aware, new guidance from the Department for Education has been given regarding face coverings in schools due to the emergence of the Omicron variant. This guidance is expected to be reviewed at Christmas and we will keep you informed of any changes.
There are a few things though that I must highlight to you all following the latest guidance and they are as follows:
Face Coverings
- Although we have been somewhat ahead of the curve on this, the DfE have made it clear that, with immediate effect, all staff, students and visitors to all schools will be required to wear face coverings in communal areas in line with this updated advice. In addition, the advice makes it clear that this will also apply to travel on public and dedicated school transport.
- The requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to those who are exempt.
Control measures and risk assessments
- To support high levels of attendance, we follow the control measures recommended by the Department for Education to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19. These are enhanced levels of cleaning, increased ventilation, promoting hand and respiratory hygiene, testing (where appropriate and advised) and the management of positive cases.
- A robust risk assessment remains in place, please see it here.
- We will continue to monitor cases and take actions as required. This may include implementing our outbreak management plan if necessary.
Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) and Lab-based (PCR) Testing
- It is essential that all in our community over secondary school age continue to test regularly (twice weekly) using LFT rapid test kits. Please ensure anybody with symptoms has a PCR test (at a testing centre) as soon as possible.
The precautions above will keep our school open and thereby minimise disruption to learning, as well as reducing the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable.
Further Covid 19 information on schools can be found here. If you need assistance with any of the above please get in touch. Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes.
Simon Wade
Headteacher
