Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Precautionary measures - possible Covid Case – Mrs Whitney’s Class.
Class isolation for 10 days from last possible contact. Children in this class are in isolation until
midnight, Thursday 27th May – returning to school Friday 28th May.
Dear Parents,
Following direct contact with Public Health England, I have been directed to close this class 'as a precautionary measure', subject to confirmation of a test outcome. This is an unusual step, but one that is in the interests of all.
We have been made aware of a single case of our school community who is likely to test positive for COVID 19. This impacts on your child’s class as they are considered a possible close proximity contact. This does not impact on children outside of the class, unless they have been contacted directly.
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.
Actions
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) must stay in isolation for 10 days after the last possible contact with the positive individual. (Dates for this isolation are listed above).
General information
What to do if your child now 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 on the NHS coronavirus site, or on the school website under’ Covid 19’
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.
Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s)
As we know, from research undertaken by the School Food Trust, eating a healthy school meal can positively affect children’s learning capacity as well as behaviour in the classroom and around school. Likewise, you will be aware there is increasing concern about rising rates of obesity and related health problems in children.
As a school, it is part of our responsibility to help children learn how to eat healthily and we do so on a regular basis through a range of activities.
We understand that whilst some pupils already have fairly healthy packed lunches there are an increasing number of packed lunches that contain too many high sugared items and/or a lack of a main meal content, such as a sandwich or wrap.
Some lunchboxes contain little more than crisps, chocolate and sweets, which do not provide the sustenance needed to be healthy, mentally or physically, nor do such foods provide the sustenance needed to focus in learning.
As a guide:
Packed lunches should ‘always’ include one or more of the following:
at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day. Grapes and cherry tomatoes should be halved lengthways for Early Years/Reception class children
meat, fish, eggs, or a non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, houmous, falafel) every day.
oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks.
a starchy food such as any type of bread (white or wholegrain rolls, pitta bread or wraps),
pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or another cereal every day.
a dairy food such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard every day.
a drink of water, fruit juice or smoothie (maximum portion 150 mls), semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk, yoghurt or another milk drink.
Packed lunches can ‘Sometimes’ include:
A meat product such as a sausage roll or an individual pie or corned meat.
A cake or biscuit, although these should not be chocolate coated.
A packet of crisps.
You should 'avoid' a packed lunch that includes:
Any confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets.
Any extremely sugary soft drinks, such as a fizzy drink (even if labelled as ‘sugar-free’, ‘no- added sugar’ or ‘reduced sugar’ as these drinks can contribute to tooth decay and provide little nutritional value).
Whilst I will not direct my staff to remove items from lunchboxes, I will support families by ensuring that they are aware of the dietary needs for children and signpost where guidance can be given. With this in mind, I provide a link below signposting advice. Likewise, you may be contacted by a member of staff to advice you if we have concerns.
Mr Seargent
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/helpingyoueatwell/healthypackedlunches.html
What makes a healthy, balanced packed lunch for children?
There are currently no regulations regarding the types of foods that can be included in school packed lunches, although many schools have policies in place, so it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your child’s school packed lunch policy as some food items maybe restricted.
Below are some guidelines on how to put together a healthy, balanced packed lunch – these follow the principles of the UK healthy eating model, the Eatwell Guide:
A school packed lunch should:
Be based on starchy foods
Include plenty of fruit and vegetables
Top tip: Make your own individual bags of dried fruit - place a small handful of mixed dried fruits, into food bags or sealed containers to store in the cupboard, this will also keep the costs down!
Include a portion of beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat, a dairy food and/or a non-dairy source of protein
Include a drink
Top tip: Schools may not have fridge space available for children’s packed lunches, so to keep your child packed lunch cool, freeze a drink to act as a cool pack and it will melt back in time for lunch!
Dear Parents and Carers.
Schools and places of education have a responsibility to keep their students and teachers safe whilst on the school premises. By maintaining a CCTV system, schools can increase their level of safety and security for all those on the premises and give parents peace of mind that their child is in an institution that takes their security seriously.
Schools are free to use CCTV under a 'lawful basis' within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) framework. For schools, the lawful basis is that of ‘Public Task’ and therefore consent is not required. We are however required to give notice (signage, warning notices, letters or similar) that CCTV is used.
As of this week, the school has updated its already existing CCTV coverage in and around the school site, increasing the number, range and accuracy of its imagery. Policies for use and GDPR are available on the school website and have been quality assured by the Data Protection Officer.