Unfortunately, on Thursday 10 June 2021 we received notification of a case of COVID-19 in our new Year 10. The pupil’s last day in school was Wednesday 9 June and we understand the transmission is as a result of contact outside of the school.

In response to this news we activated our COVID-19 action plan immediately, initiated track and trace and contacted both the Department for Education and Gloucestershire County Council.

As a consequence, we have taken the decision to send 37 pupils in our new Year 10 home to self-isolate for 10 days until Saturday 19 June inclusive. Subject to them all being well and, ideally, having a negative Lateral Flow Device test, they will be able to return to school on Monday 21 June 2021.

We are especially grateful to parents for their understanding and prompt actions which meant all 'close contacts' were off site by midday.

We are very sorry to have to ask so many pupils to go home, self-isolate for 10 days and work remotely so early in their new courses. The need to make this decision in our first week back after half term serves as a reminder to us all of the prevalence of the virus. It is vitally important that we all continue to observe our preventative measures and test ourselves regularly.

Ms Henson, Headteacher

During this period of self-isolation, all pupils remaining at home are expected to continue with their learning and, in line with our Remote Learning Plan, they will be able to access lesson materials in MS Teams. We will be looking more closely at their timetables and, where a significant number are taught within one or more groups, we are hoping to provide some live lessons for them too.

To ensure they can keep up with their peers, especially at the start of their new courses in Key Stage 4, all pupils who are self-isolating should aim to follow their normal school timetables. They are expected to check their school emails, Show My Homework and MS Teams every day so that they can plan their own schedule from 9:00am to 3:20pm, complete and submit relevant learning activities and attend any live lessons they are invited to.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This page is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days.

The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19:

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally available test type) and this can be arranged via www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

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’.

>> Stay at home guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infections...

The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10-day isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can return to your normal routine.

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.

Symptoms of COVID-19:

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your 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. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 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 on the NHS website.