17th March 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian
Re: Coronavirus Update

As I am sure you are aware, the Government have now updated their advice on the coronavirus. I wanted to write to you following the national update that occurred yesterday.
The Chief Medical Officer provided new advice around self-isolation and Public Health England have updated their web pages so please review the updated information online:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Attendance to School
The Government is currently recommending that schools remain open unless the local Public Health England Protection Team advises them to close.
The advice remains that you should self-isolate at home for seven days if you have a recent onset of:
• A new continuous cough and/or
• High temperature

However, in addition, anyone living with someone who is self-isolating should now stay at home for at least 14 days to avoid spreading the infection outside of the home.
Parents should continue to report their child’s absence using the school absence line. Please may I ask that you clearly state the students name and date they are due to return to school. This will then be documented and you will not need to call each day.
An online self-assessment should be conducted using this link https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ which will offer further guidance and advice. This online link should be used in the first instance, not the telephone 111 service.
If a parent believes their child may have been in contact with another person who has symptoms of COVID-19, they should follow the key advice above. There is no need for them to be isolated unless they are displaying associated symptoms. If a parent knows their child has been in contact with another person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 – the child should self-isolate and follow the key advice above.

Possible School Closures
There are currently only two perceived scenarios in which we are likely to close:
1) The Government instructs all schools in the UK to close as part of the plan to fight COVID-19. If this decision is made, please be assured that we have already taken steps to ensure your child’s education can continue at home.

2) If staff absence gets to a point where there are not enough staff to ensure the safety of the students. If this is the case, we will implement a partial closure of the school. We will endeavor to continue all Year 11 lessons and rotate Year 7 -10 accordingly.

We will keep you informed if either of these situations were to occur, or any other plans from the Government are released. Our communications will continue to be sent via Parentmail.
In the event of a closure we will look to advise you as soon as possible however this may be as late as the night before. Please continue to monitor both Parentmail and the school website.

Trips and Events & after-school activities
The Government has advised against all overseas trips for children under the age of 18 until further notice. We will follow this advice. This is obviously a disappointing situation for our school community, but the sensible choice in light of fast moving communications and advice.
In addition to this, we have postponed:
• All sporting fixtures
• All school events
• All extra-curricular/after-school activities including intervention
This will stand until further notice.

We understand that this is a difficult and worrying time for parents, students and staff. The information and advice we are receiving is the latest actions/advice to follow which is changing on a frequent basis. It is our intention to continue to update you on a regular basis via Parentmail and the Website.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Yours sincerely

Mr N Pritchard
Head Teacher