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Posted on: 1/11/2021Covid Update from our Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn Term - Covid-19 Update
ââDue to the rising cases of Covid-19 in the South West, we have been advised by Professor Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health for Somerset, to temporarily move to Amber Alert and reintroduce restrictions. I am hopeful that this will only be for two weeks to support reducing transmission within school. I have reviewed our Outbreak Contingency Plan and have planned the following in order to keep each other safe:
· Twice-weekly LFD testing for all staff
· Daily testing for staff if they are found to be a close contact
· Outside activity to be increased where appropriate
· Reduction of external visitors
· All essential visitors to wear a mask whilst inside the building
· Ventilation to be increased as far as possible in classrooms and offices
· Enhanced cleaning for all touch points
· Posters reminding children and staff of hygiene requirements
· Mask-wearing by adults to be encouraged in communal areas
· Assemblies will return to individual classes
· Social distancing will be encouraged through signage and maximum occupancy guidelines
Parents are also advised to test yourselves twice a week using a lateral flow test. You can get these from chemists, local Covid testing sites or you may order online: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.
If you test positive you should immediately book a PCR test - follow this link here to book one at a local site: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
If you are double vaccinated, you do not need to isolate unless you develop symptoms. If a member of your household tests positive on a PCR, every person who lives in your house needs to book a PCR test though they will not need to isolate if under 18 or double vaccinated. It is advisable to move to daily testing with a lateral flow test whilst waiting for your PCR result.
Public Health England have now advised that you may test your children with a lateral flow test but this is absolutely at your discretion and is not a requirement we insist upon.
As far as possible we will endeavour to keep the school operating normally, however if cases rise within the school, or if we have significant staff shortages due to Covid, it is possible that we will ask classes to stay home and we will provide remote learning.
ââPlease continue to bring your child into school at the same time as you did last term, the gate will open from 8.40am. If you wish to wear a mask whilst you are on site, you are welcome to do so. Everyone should continue to be mindful of each other and maintain social distancing as far as possible.
I will continue to keep you updated with the situation and thank you for your support during what continues to be a challenging time for us all. I do hope that you have had a relaxing half term break with your children and look forward to welcoming them back into school on Monday.
Best wishes
Joanne Crocker
Executive Teaching Head of Schools
