15th June 2021
Year 7 Closure
Tuesday 15 June 2021
Dear Parent or Carer,
Year 7 closure until Monday 21 June 2021
I am writing to let you know that yesterday, following confirmation of four positive cases of Covid-19, two Year 7 bubbles were closed in line with our risk assessments. Today, we received confirmation that a further two students in those same bubbles have also tested positive for Covid 19.
We contacted the Covid response team at Bradford Council to inform them. They have advised us to close the entire Year 7 group as a proactive and precautionary measure. Therefore, from the end of school today, Tuesday 15 June 2021, we are asking parents and carers of Year 7 students to keep them at home for the remainder of this week with a planned return to school on Monday 21 June 2021. There will be no after schools club today. Students will be leaving at 2:45pm.
We are not asking students to self-isolate unless already advised to do so.
We have also been advised to ask all Year 7 students to conduct 3 LFT tests over the coming days, tonight, Friday and Sunday prior to returning to school. Each time your child takes a Lateral Flow Test please log it in the following places:
- Government webpage: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result; and
- Our school form located on our website here
If your child tests positive, please inform Emily Wintersgill at becejw@beckfoot.org or by telephoning us on the school main telephone 01274 771444, which has a dedicated voicemail for out of hours. This supports immediate action in school to identify close contacts. You should also book a PCR test here.
We will ensure each student has a testing kit with them when they return home this evening. If your child has runs out of LFTs please contact Emily Wintersgill at becejw@beckfoot.org who will be able to help.
Lessons will continue to be delivered remotely and will be available for all students for all classes where possible. A further letter from Miss Sullivan around remote learning provision and assessment arrangements is going out today.
It is important to note that this decision for Year 7 has not been taken lightly or unilaterally. We have taken advice and followed the guidance, as we have always done. Cases are increasing in the Bradford area, increasingly so in our young people and our absolute priority is to keep our students, staff and families safe.
Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119 . People who do not have symptoms should not request a test unless this has been specifically requested by Public Health England or the local authority. All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill. Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online. Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community. If you are able move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period. Please see the link to the PHE ‘Stay at Home’ Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection Symptoms of COVID 19 The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19. Do:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Further Information Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
If you have any queries, please contact Emily Wintersgill at becejw@beckfoot.org
Yours sincerely
Simon Wade
Headteacher
