Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
A request has been made to explain the dates for isolation. As I have had a single request, I suspect others may have the same question, hence this information share for all.
Why is the return date to school Friday 6th November?
Firstly, I confirm that the dates have been directed according to consolation with Public Health England. They are set by regulations, not the school.
The last possible point of contact with the individual who has tested positive was Thursday 22nd. We were informed of a positive test outcome on evening of Friday 23rd and I immediately contacted the Department of Education.
14 days from the point of possible last contact takes us to Thursday November 5th which would be the last isolation day. Return to school would therefore be Friday 6th November as per information shared. This has been confirmed by the Department of Education.
The dates were updated this morning in line with further consultation and confirmation.
14 days is the isolation period for those identified as ‘possible close proximity contacts’, 10 days for individuals testing positive.
I appreciate that a recommended isolation notice is challenging for all concerned but we are required to follow said guidance and do so in the interests of the school community.
I hope this clarifies the matter. If there are further updates I will make parents aware.
Mr Seargent.
To the parents of Early Years Foundation Stage ONLY: ISOLATION FOR 14 DAYS
This morning I have been directed by the Department for Education to inform parents of children in EYFS that owing to a single Covid 19 positive test in the school community, children in Ms Vobes class and Mrs Winfield's class are to follow isolation guidance (see below) last day of isolation being Thursday 5th November (14 days since last possible contact), returning to school Friday 6th November.
No other classes, bubbles or groups are affected.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
Information of direct proximity contacts:
Children in Early Years Foundation Stage are to isolate for 14 days
Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 14 Days
Dear parent or carer,
We have been made aware that we have a single positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Ashgate Primary School.
We have followed the national guidance and have identified that your child has been in possible close contact with the affected individual . In line with the national guidance your child must stay at home and self-isolate until Thursday 5th November (14 days after last possible contact). [Return to school Friday 6th].
If your child is well at the end of the 14 days period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.
Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.
Please see the link to: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person
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 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
The 14-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 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able can, 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/
Yours sincerely
Advice to All Parents - Single case
Dear Parents,
We have been made aware of a single case of our school community who have tested positive for COVID 19.
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 letter 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.
Any individual identified as requiring to self isolate as a result of close contact (as defined by NHS/DfE /Public Health England) with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) will receive a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days or be informed directly. You only need to act if you are contacted.
General information
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 testing and this can be arranged via https://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 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
The 14-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 14 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
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 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/
Yours sincerely
Mr Seargent
Great news for parents and children!
You will be aware that owing to the restrictions and guidance for Covid 19 we have been unable to provide hot meals for all children since the return in September. Whilst all Free School Meals children have received entitlement, those children in Key Stage 2 have not had the option for hot meals owing to the fact that we have had to establish two dining areas. With only one kitchen and with restrictions on establishing and maintaining Covid bubbles, we have not been able to provide as we have previously and wished.
The good news is that as of 16th November we will be in a position to re-establish the provision of hot meals for children in Key Stage 2.
Important:
1 - This will be a phased process starting with free school meal entitlement.
2 - Cash payment will cease for those paying for meals and be replaced with an electronic payment system*.
3 – Historical dinner debts will need to be paid in order to access future hot meals
What is changing?
Meals will continue to be served in the dining hall for Early Years and Key Stage 1 children; likewise, Key Stage 2 children will continue to dine in the assembly hall. This is important as it is needed to reduce risk of breaking Covid bubbles. However, we will be placing two hot plate units to the rear of the assembly hall and providing more staff to serve. Meals will be prepared in the kitchen and then transferred to hot plates in the assembly hall for Key Stage 2 children.
Will hot meals be provided for all?
Eventually yes; however, we will only be able to provide hot lunches for free school meal children initially; this will commence the week of November 16th.
There are two reasons for this:
We aim to be providing paid hot meals for all Key Stage 2 children by or during December.
*What is the policy change for dinner monies?
From this point onwards, like most other schools, there will be a cashless system for school dinners and trips. This will be provided through a system called ‘Scopay’; information on how this will work will be shared with parents at a later date. It is important that parents understand that the previous practice of paying for school meals and trips via cash payments has ended.
Please keep an eye out for details on how you will access and pay for meals using Scopay. This will provide you with an access letter and code as well as guidance on use.
Is there anything else I should know?
Note: Children having hot dinners or packed lunches will dine in the groups they have been in since the return in September. This will continue until we are advised that restrictions are being relaxed or lifted.
Parents
Many thanks to those who continue supporting the safety of the school by adhering to the guidance shared. Guidance was published and remains on the school website under ‘about us / Covid 19’.
Whilst I do understand that for some steps put in place are an inconvenience, they are a requirement to keep children and adults safe on school site.
Parents have been keen to highlight the contradictions between what is expected in schools and what happens in reality across the wider community. I can only emphasise that I am not responsible or accountable for the actions of those beyond my gates. Irrespective, this does not alter the guidance given to schools.
Some confirmation and reminders:
THE BIGGEST RISK TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AT THE MOMENT IS THAT OF PARENTS NOT BRINGING THEIR CHILD TO SCHOOL ON TIME – resulting in the need to access to school buildings and increased staff movement from bubble to bubble to address this. Second to that is that some parents are attempting to enter school reception without a mask, a problem that is too often a result of said late arrivals.
Punctuality – If your child is late to school, you will have to wait until a staff member can accept them at the main reception. There is a ‘one in one out’ system which is strictly followed. Staff are not in a position to man the school office, phones and first aid and then leave their post to collect children on your behalf. Arriving late is an inconvenience for staff and you alike – please be punctual. If you are late, as I have stated from the start, you will have to wait.
STAFF ARE DIRECTED BY ME TO:
Ensure all visitors wear masks when entering reception. NO MASK – NO ENTRY. This is for the safety of all.
Whilst I understand that this polarises the views of parents, the policy has been made clear repeatedly. Ultimately, the issue will only arise if you are not punctual or do not book an appointment to visit the school for another reason.
Remote Learning Improvements: Ready to go live on Monday 12th October!
Great news!
I am delighted to announce that we now have a ‘remote learning’ facility for children to access in the event of individual or localised/national lockdown of pupils in school. Unless called on earlier, this will become live for pupils as of Monday 12 2020.
This has been created following feedback on the lockdown access and moves from school website ‘one way’ learning to a more effective system that provides response and sharing opportunities
Our main key foci have been:
On Monday:
All children will be given a ‘Parent Guidance to Remote Learning’ booklet on Monday. This will talk you through how the system will work, how you can log on and how children can access learning (including face to face contact).
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU READ THE GUIDANCE AND RETAIN IT
IMPORTANT:
On page 1 of the guidance there is a ‘username’. Do not lose this. There is a generic password to be used to access the system. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE THIS IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE PLATFORM.
Make a note of your username and password – I would suggest writing it on your guidance booklet and keeping that safe.
Technical issues and access
It is likely that some families may have initial difficulties owing to system requirements and access to devices in the home. I am sure that you will appreciate that I am already seeking to address this and remind those who have not yet done so to return the home devices audit sent out last week.
Login in task:
Each child will have a fun login task to complete, sent in the email facility by the teacher. They are to respond back to the teacher and will receive a small reward if they do. This is an important step as it will allow us to ascertain the level of access and identify those who may require technical support. PLEASE COMPLETE THE TASK so that we can in turn help you.
Dear parents
This morning, my staff and I have been managing concerns raised by parents that, following a series of shared Facebook posts and comments around Covid 19, a child was said to have tested positive for Covid 19.
I can categorically share with you that this is not the case and I have had this confirmed directly – with the persons involved – not through social media posts, shares or comments.
THERE ARE NO REPORTED POSITIVE CASES OF PUPILS WITH COVID 19 AT ASHGATE AT THIS TIME – CONFIRMED
There is a system, please follow it
There is a very clear system in place for notifying schools and parents in the event of positive Covid 19 cases. This system involves:
Note: Facebook and speculation are not included in this system.
If there were to be cases confirmed or shared, this would be managed by Public Health England and I would let you know once actions had been agreed.
Please be mindful of the process.