As we move forward with the Government’s plan for ‘Living with COVID-19’ and the removal of access to free Lateral Flow Test kits from 1 April 2022, we need to adjust our recommendations and procedures following the Easter break. 

We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to our pupils, parents and staff for their support and co-operation with the measures we have had to put in place thus far. We appreciate that self-isolating, especially with little or no symptoms, is frustrating and inconvenient, but it has enabled us to keep operating. We are very grateful to our part-time staff who have worked overtime during the last two terms to cover for self-isolating colleagues; this has meant that we have been able to remain fully open and focused on the teaching and learning of our pupils. Over the course of this term, as a school we saw an increase in the number of cases amongst pupils and staff but in the last fortnight, these numbers have peaked and have since decreased significantly to now (8 April 2022) only a handful of cases.

SYMPTOMS

The official list of coronavirus symptoms has been updated to include 9 more symptoms: NHS: Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

GOVERNMENT CHANGES

Following the 1 April changes in England, Schools can no longer access free lateral flow tests, as these are now only accessible to specific eligible groups. Regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education settings.

The advice set out by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care that we will be following after the Easter break is:

• Adults with symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.
• Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people.  They can return to school when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
• Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days.
• Children and young people aged 18 and under with a positive COVID-19 test result, they should try and stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days.

VACCINATIONS

As of 1 April, the DfE information is that the in-school COVID-19 vaccination programme has ended. 12 to 15 year olds will still be able to access the vaccine outside of school, at vaccination centres, pharmacies and walk-in centres. You may have seen in the news recently that healthy 5 to 11 year olds can now access the vaccine from the beginning of April.  We have been asked to signpost these links where vaccinations can be accessed

• NHS: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
• NHS: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site

CHANGES AFTER EASTER

In school, we encourage people to continue with good hand hygiene measures - hand sanitiser remains in each classroom. Wearing a face covering continues to be a personal choice for our pupils and staff. Windows and doors will remain open to ensure good ventilation. See above regarding Government advice for staying home if unwell or testing positive. 

We wish you a restful Easter break.