COVID-19 Updates

Uploading Test Results to Arbor

You MUST record PCR test results, regardless of outcome.

POSITIVE Lateral flow results are required. 

Negative Lateral flow results are helpful but not required.

Alternatively, call us and provide the information required and we will complete the form for you.

Traffic Light Response System

Green - Inform

IF

THEN 

No Covid measures are necessary beyond:


*DENOTES A TEMPORARY CHANGE FOR THREE WEEKS STARTING ON 30/11/21 IN RESPONSE TO THIS GUIDANCE

Amber - Warn

IF

THEN 

Red - Alert

IF

THEN 

Communication

01/04/22

Latest Guidance

09/03/2022

Attention: All Students, Staff, Parents & Guardians

🦠 COVID-UPDATES, we are starting to see a rise in school cases and a few parents are seeking clarification....


SIX KEY POINTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED


😷 Got symptoms? - Get a PCR test to confirm you are positive. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/what-to-do-if-you-get-symptoms-again/


❌ The legal requirement to self-isolate if you have coronavirus ended on 24 February


🖐️ People who test positive for coronavirus are advised to stay at home for at least five full days and then continue to stay at home until they have two negative tests on consecutive days.


😷 Pupils who have coronavirus should not attend their education setting while they are infectious.


🧪 They should take a lateral flow device (LFD) test from five days after their symptoms started, or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms, followed by another test on the next day.


🎒They can return to school if both these tests are negative, and they feel well enough to do so and do not have a temperature.


YOUR OTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED


👉CHANGES ON THE 1ST OF APRIL 2022

From 1 April, the government will provide updated guidance on ongoing steps people with coronavirus should take to minimise contact with others.


👉 ADULTS AT HOME

The UKHSA guidance says that if you have coronavirus, you should not attend work and work from home where possible. If you cannot work from home, you should speak to your employer about the options available. There is no specific advice on how this works in practice for schools so we are temporarily ensuring all staff who test positive remain at home.


👉 WHAT IF I SEND MY CHILD TO SCHOOL AND THEY HAVE TESTED POSITIVE?

The DfE has advised that if a parent insists their child attends school when they have tested positive or are displaying symptoms of coronavirus, the school can refuse the pupil’s attendance if, in its reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with coronavirus.


👉 WHAT ABOUT CLOSE CONTACTS OF POSITIVE CASES?

Starting on 24 February, fully-vaccinated close contacts and close contacts under 18 will not be asked to test daily for seven days. The requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate will also be removed from this date.


👉 WHAT DO I DO IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSE IS POSITIVE?

The UKHSA guidance says that people who live in the same household as someone with coronavirus, or those who have stayed overnight in the same household, are at high risk of becoming infected. For the 10 days following the close contact, individuals are advised to:


1) Minimise contact with the person with coronavirus.

Work from home if they can.


2) Avoid contact with people who are at higher risk of becoming severely unwell if they get coronavirus.

Limit close contact with those outside their household.

Wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and when they are in close contact with others.


3) Order a PCR test if they develop symptoms and stay home while they wait for the results.


4) Pupils should continue to attend school as normal even if they have been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.


👉 WILL THE NHS STILL CONTACT TRACE?

Routine contact tracing will also end from this 24 February. People with coronavirus are advised to get in touch with their close contacts themselves so they can follow the guidance above.


👉 WHY DON'T STAFF TEST WEEKLY?

From 21 February, school staff and pupils in most settings will no longer be advised to test twice weekly. From 1 April, the government will no longer provide free symptomatic and asymptomatic tests to the general public.


👉 WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD DO AT HOME?

https://www.oakfield.hants.sch.uk/classes/remote-education


Online education is available for children who are at home isolating and are well-enough to complete learning. Teachers post this on Dojo and children are asked to respond their too. If you a struggling with internet, devices or need support please let us know and we can help. Daily reading, online activities and independent study is available on the pupil portal with login information if your child's planner.

13/01/22

Attention: All Students, Staff, Parents & Guardians

Warn & Inform Letter (v2)

🦠 COVID UPDATE


Thank you to everyone who has carried out lateral flow tests on their children last night/this morning, we have identified a number of children who are positive but did not have any symptoms and they are now at home preventing the spread.


I encourage EVERYONE to do these with your children wherever possible as we can then have a whole-school approach to stopping the spread.


***


😳 We contacted parents yesterday by text to inform them if their child has been in close contact with a positive individual for a period of time. If you were contacted by test message please test your child every day (mornings are better) for 7 days as set out in the advice from the government.


***


👀 HOME LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AT HOME

If your child is at home and is not unwell, there is learning available that matches closely what is being taught in the classroom. We aren't able to 'live stream' or offer prerecorded sessions as we did during lockdown but everything you need is available. If your child is ill there is no expectation that they should complete learning, though we encourage everyone to keep doing what they can, including reading!


👀 ACCESSING THE INTERNET AT HOME

If you are struggling with access to the internet and need support please contact us and we can loan devices in certain circumstances. Your child will complete learning and add this to their 'portfolio' online via their profile.


Thank you for your understanding, please call if you need anything and we'll do our best to help.


***


Useful links:


😷Book a PCR if you have symptoms: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test


😷 Order Lateral Flow Tests (I would recommend everyone doing this and having a box at home):

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests


😷Information on School Restrictions: https://www.oakfield.hants.sch.uk/admin/coronavirus


😷 How to report your test results on Arbor: https://www.oakfield.hants.sch.uk/admin/coronavirus


😷 Book Vaccinations: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/


😷 NHS Covid-19 Hub: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

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12/01/22

Attention: All Students, Staff, Parents & Guardians

Warn & Inform Letter (v2)

Dear Parents,

 

We have been advised that there have been a number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school.

 

We appreciate that you may find this concerning, so we are continuing to monitor the situation and are providing the following advice. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

 

What are we already doing?

Students and staff who have tested positive are isolating. The children and staff who are identified as contacts of the confirmed cases will have guidance from NHS Test and Trace.

 

Those aged five and above will be advised to take daily LFD tests before attending school for a period of 7 days. Outbreak control measures are also in place within the setting and being kept under review.

 

If your child is well

The school remains open. If your child remains well, they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.

 

In addition to daily LFD testing for close contacts, we encourage household members aged 11 and over to continue with twice weekly LFD testing to help identify cases promptly.

 

If you think your child is a close contact but has not been contacted directly by NHS Test and Trace, then we would advise they undertake daily LFD tests for a period of 7 days. This advice applies to children aged 5 and over.

 

Whilst daily testing for 7 days is your choice, it is strongly encouraged as it helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your community. (If not already provided, LFD tests are available via community testing sites, local pharmacies or you can order online for home delivery). 

 

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19

If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should get a PCR test (https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119) and remain at home at least until the result is known and they are fever free (without medication) for at least 24 hours.

·        If negative, the child can end self-isolation and return to school once well;

·        If positive, the child should isolate as a positive case (see below)

 

People who test positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate at home until they are well (48 hours fever free) and either:

a)    10 full days have passed, or

b)    They have produced two negative LFD tests at least 24 hours apart, with the first taken no earlier than day 6.

 

Note: Lingering coughs and changes to smell/taste are not a sign of ongoing infectiousness, so children can return to school if they have ended their self-isolation period (see above).

 

If your child does not have symptoms, count the day they took the test as day 0. If they subsequently develop symptoms, they will need to restart their isolation period using the day symptoms developed as day 0.

 

You can seek advice on COVID-19 symptoms 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 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111

 

Instructions for people who live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is symptomatic and awaiting a test result

 

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate, you will be provided with advice on testing, advised to take extra caution, and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

 

Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not.

 

You are not required to self-isolate if any of the following apply:

·        You are fully vaccinated

·        You are below the age of 18 years 6 months

·        You have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial

·        You are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

 

Fully vaccinated means that you have been vaccinated with an MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed since you received the recommended doses of that vaccine (note this is currently under review and may be updated to include a booster dose in due course).

 

In line with national guidance for households with Covid-19 infection, household and other close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should undertake daily LFD testing for a period of 7 days or for 10 days from their last contact with the positive case (whichever is first). This is recommended for all close contacts aged 5 and over who are not required to isolate. [If not already provided, LFD tests are available via community testing sites, local pharmacies or you can order online for home delivery).  

 

You are required to self-isolate if you’re aged over 18 years and 6 months and if any of the following apply:

·        You have received only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

·        You have not received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination

·        You are not otherwise exempt

 

Household members who need to self-isolate as close contacts should not go to work, school or public areas, and exercise should be taken within the home. You should ask friends or family if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online. Please read the stay at home guidance which provides information on this.

 

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.

 

You could be fined if you do not self-isolate following a notification by NHS Test and Trace.

 

You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate, or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.

 

How to reduce spread of COVID-19 as a household contact who is not required to self-isolate

 

Even if you are vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by following the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread.

 

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your community:

·        Test daily using LFDs

·        Limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces (when not in school)

·        Wear a face covering for those aged 11 and over in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilates spaces and when you are in close contact with other people

·        Limit contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with Covid-19

·        Follow the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

You should follow this advice for at least 10 days.

 

If you are a health or social care worker or student undertaking a work placement who has been identified as a household contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings.

 

If you develop symptoms at any time, even if these are mild, self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR test and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

 

How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading

 

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19):

 

·        Get vaccinated – everyone aged 12 and over can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments now

·        Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day

·        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

·        Meet people outside and avoid crowded areas

·        Open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside

·        Wear a face covering if aged 11 and over when it's hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors or in crowded places

·        Participate in twice weekly LFD testing following national guidelines (recommended for 11 years and over). We encourage you to log your results here: https://www.gov.uk/log-test-site-covid19-results

 

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

03/01/22

January Updates

Daily testing has been introduced for close contacts of coronavirus cases

The following individuals who are identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus should take an LFD test every day for 7 days instead of self-isolating – this is the same for all cases of coronavirus, not just the Omicron variant:

Individuals should report the results of their daily tests through the online reporting system and to their school. 

If they test negative, they can continue to come to school; however, outside of school, they should limit close contact with people outside of their household.

If someone tests positive, they need to self-isolate immediately and order a PCR test to confirm the LFD test result. 

If the PCR test is positive, they must self-isolate for 10 days.

If the PCR test is negative, that person no longer needs to self-isolate, but they need to complete their period of daily testing.

Unvaccinated individuals who are over the age of 18 years and 6 months are not covered by the daily testing policy and must self-isolate if they are a close contact of a positive coronavirus case.

Children under five years old do not need to take part in daily testing for close contacts and do not need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact.

Further actions for schools may be advised by a local Incident Management Team investigating suspected or confirmed Omicron cases.  

The self-isolation period for people with coronavirus has been cut from 10 to 7 days if they have a negative test.

[Updated] Since 22 December 2021,  individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus have been able to end self-isolation after 7 days instead of 10 days if they have negative LFD test results on days 6 and 7. This applies to all people regardless of their age or vaccination status.

The two LFD tests need to be taken 24 hours apart and the first test should not be taken before the sixth day.

[Updated] People should only end their self-isolation period before 10 days if both tests are negative and they do not have a high temperature. People who end their self-isolation before 10 days are still advised to remain cautious, limiting contact with vulnerable people, not visiting crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and working from home. In education settings, if the conditions for ending self-isolation early are met, an individual may return to their setting from day 8.

[Secondary Schools Only] Face covering advice has been reintroduced   

The DfE is advising that staff, adult visitors and pupils in Year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal areas and when moving around the premises inside, unless they are exempt.

[New] From 4 January, it is recommended that face coverings are worn in classrooms where pupils in Year 7 and above are being educated. The government has said this is only short-term advice and will be in place until 26 January when Plan B regulations are currently scheduled to expire, at which point the advice will be reviewed.

Face coverings should also be worn by pupils in Year 7 on dedicated school transport. It is also mandatory for face coverings to be worn by people aged 11 and over on public transport, unless they are otherwise exempt – fines will be given to people who fail to wear face coverings on public transport.

13/12/21

DFE Updates to Headteacher

Not Urgent - Update from the DFE to Headteachers regarding Covid-19 today, many of these details were shared yesterday and there is no expectation that you read this, but for your reference and transparency here is a copy of the letter I was sent. Any comments added by me are in square brackets [like this]


***

Daily testing for contacts of COVID-19

***

From Tuesday 14 December, a new national approach to daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 is being introduced (including until the end of this term). All adults who are fully vaccinated and children aged 5 to 18 years and 6 months, identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take a lateral flow device (LFD) test every day for 7 days instead of self-isolating. Daily testing by close contacts will help to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 will help protect education settings by reducing transmission and will also help keep pupils in face-to-face education.

Once notified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact, all eligible staff, pupils and students should take an LFD each day for 7 days and report the results through the Online Reporting System and to their setting.

[This means using Arbor for Oakfield]

If they test negative, they can continue to attend their education setting. Outside of the education setting, they should continue to follow the advice set out in the Sunday 12 December press release. This approach should also be adopted over the winter break and on return in January.

If they test positive, they should self-isolate and order a PCR test to confirm the result. If the PCR is positive, they must self-isolate for 10 days. If the PCR test is negative, they no longer need to self-isolate but should continue to carry out the remainder of the daily tests, and only need to isolate if it is positive.

All staff and secondary aged pupils and students should have access to a box of 7 LFD tests from their education setting. If your setting requires additional test kits sooner than they would be available through the standard ordering process, or will run out of test kits imminently, you can contact [number removed] to request an emergency replenishment.

For primary aged children LFD test kits are available through the usual routes (community test sites, local pharmacies or online).

[This means we are not supposed to give LFD tests to families, though we may have an emergency batch if anyone is really struggling]

Children under five years old do not need to take part in daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 and do not need to isolate.

[This means almost all our children will be required to test following a notification]

Anyone over the age of 18 years and 6 months who is not vaccinated, must isolate in line with government guidelines if they are a close contact of a positive case.

[This does not affect our children]

For students with SEND who struggle to or are unable to self-swab daily for 7 days, settings should work with students and their families to agree an appropriate testing route, such as assisted swabbing. Information on further support measures will be provided.

[Please contact us if this applies to your child and we can contact the DFE for the measures suggested]

Finally, it is important to continue regular twice weekly, at-home testing for all education and childcare workforce and all students of secondary age and above.

[Staff and volunteers continue to do this]

***

Update on COVID-19 vaccinations

***

The new Omicron COVID-19 variant is spreading fast. Anyone who is unvaccinated or who hasn’t had their booster is at even greater risk from COVID-19 and more serious illness. Vaccines are the best way we can protect ourselves and help keep children and young people in face-to-face education.

People aged 18 years and over, and those aged 16 years and over who are at risk (including health and social care workers) will be offered a booster dose of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Please do encourage those in your settings to take up the booster dose.

You can pre-book your booster dose online if it’s been 2 months (61 days) since you had your 2nd dose and you are:

-aged 30 and over

-aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you -at high risk from COVID-19

-a frontline health or social care worker

-You will be offered appointment dates from 3 months after the date of your 2nd dose.

16 and 17 year olds can get two doses of the COVID vaccine. They can book an appointment through the national booking service and walk in centres are available.

The Health and Social Care Secretary announced on Monday 29 November that young people aged 12 to 15 in England will be offered a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, following advice from JCVI. Parents of children aged 12-15 that have not yet had their first vaccine can book their child’s first vaccination slot over the winter break via the national booking system.

We ask schools, where possible, to direct parents to the out-of-school route as they break up for the winter holidays. In some cases, parents will be able to get their booster at the same time as their child getting their first vaccine.

[Please see here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ ]

12/12/21

Important COVID Update from the Government

Key Points:

✅From Tuesday - contacts of a covid-19 case need to take a lateral flow test every day for 7 days

✅If the lateral flow comes back ✅POSITIVE✅, PCR required

✅If the lateral flow comes back ❌NEGATIVE❌, continue to test for the remainder of the 7 days

✅Do not send children to school if they have been with a positive case, get them a lateral flow test.

✅LOG ALL PCR TESTS ON ARBOR, regardless of the outcome.

✅LOG ALL LFD TESTS ON ARBOR, if you are an identified contact - this helps us know that your child does not need to isolate or be sent home.

👉Order Rapid Test Kits Here:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests


👉You can read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/daily-rapid-testing-for-covid-19-contacts-launches-this-week


***

FULL GUIDANCE:


🚨From Tuesday 14 December, people who ARE fully vaccinated and identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – 👉WHETHER OMICRON OR NOT👈 – SHOULD take an NHS rapid lateral flow test EVERY DAY for 7 days to help slow the spread of COVID-19.


DAILY TESTING APPLIES TO:

✅fully vaccinated adults – people who have had 2 jabs

✅all children aged 5 to 18 years and 6 months, regardless of their vaccination status

✅people who can prove they are unable to be vaccinated for clinical reasons

✅people taking part, or have taken part, in an approved clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine

✅Under 5s are exempt from self-isolation and do not need to take part in daily rapid lateral flow testing.


❌Unvaccinated adults must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a contact of someone with COVID, and anyone who tests positive or develops symptoms will need to self-isolate.


👉From Tuesday:

People will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace by phone, email or text or they will receive a notification from the NHS COVID-19 app to tell them they are a contact of someone who tested positive and what action they need to take.


🚌Although the government has made this apply from Tuesday, it would very unwise for anyone who has knowingly been in contact with a positive case to attend school tomorrow without having done a lateral flow test to confirm they are negative. Please contact the office if this applies to your child.


***

As now, ANYONE whose rapid test comes back positive or who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test to verify the result.


If the PCR result comes back positive, contacts must self-isolate for 10 days from the day they took the positive rapid test or developed symptoms. They do not need to continue taking rapid tests during that 10 day isolation period.


If the PCR result comes back negative, contacts can leave self-isolation but should continue to take rapid tests for the remainder of the 7 days.


Anyone identified as a contact with a negative rapid lateral flow result is strongly advised to limit close contact with other people outside their household, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces and with anyone who is more vulnerable. They should also follow government guidance on wearing a face covering and working from home where possible.


***


Key Questions

❓My child has symptoms of covid, or a cough that I think is just a winter cough, what do I do?

-Get a PCR - DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL


❓I have been in contact with a covid-19 case, or someone in my household is positive, what do I do?

-Take a lateral flow test every day for 7 days, this only starts on Tuesday but it would be unwise to send children in tomorrow without one.


❓I don't have a lateral flow test, where can I get one?

- https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests


❓My child is ill and cannot attend school, what do I do?

- Let the office know via phone or email please.


❓Lateral flow? LFT? LFD? PCR - I'm confused, can you help?

- https://www.hullccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/jpg.png


❓My child has been in contact with someone positive but I've not been contacted by track and trace, what do I do?

- Until more guidance is available, we would advise you to be safe and conduct lateral flow tests

06/12/21

Covid Update Letter

Important Updates regarding upcoming events.

SHORT LETTER:

Events are still happening, but we are sadly not able to invite families into school over the next two weeks. There have been some changes to dates and times including non-uniform days and parties, please see the bottom of this post for the details.

FULL LETTER:

Dear Families,

I am writing to provide some important updates in response to guidance sent to schools from Hampshire’s health team specifically in response to Omicron and upcoming community events and activities.

As you are aware, we take pride in our unique and open partnerships with parents - we believe that when we work together we are stronger, we understand the impact that strong relationships have and that’s why we try to involve families in school life as much as possible, even when there are challenges to overcome.

We are pleased to have returned clubs, trips and visits to the curriculum in addition to our celebration assemblies and larger events such as sports day.

We know that Christmas is a special time of year for our community, it may be a religious holiday for some, a family one for others or simply a well earned break in the school calendar.

In school we use the final week of the term to provide a wide range of activities for education and for fun, staying true to our vision of “Live, Love, Laugh, Learn.” We enjoy opening up the school to families to embrace the traditions (old and new) and using the chance to reflect on the year we have had, whilst looking ahead at what is to come. Events such as the school Nativity and Christingle are a personal highlight in my work calendar and something I know the staff look forward to each year too.

Last year was certainly different, and Miss Bray did a fantastic job of leading the school through a difficult time whilst some colleagues and I were out of action due to having COVID-19. We looked forward to having a year of “normality” but with recent events, it is with disappointment that I tell you that we have had to make change to the planned events over the next two weeks.

Our only priority above providing a fantastic place to learn, is of course, a safe place to be. The entire team from GMAT down, works really hard behind the scenes to review guidance and respond to changes so that we can adapt our policies and procedures, keeping everyone as safe as we can.

We know that many of you will have your own opinions on matters related to coronavirus, some of them will be shared views amongst the community and some may be conflicting. When running a school it is important not only to think about the children in it, but also the other key stakeholders such as the families we work with and our team who make it all possible. Doing this means we have to weigh up the risks that are presented to us, the likelihood that they will occur, and the impact that they could have on all of the subsequent matters we address on a day-to-day basis.

The following changes have been made so that we can reduce the potential transmission of Covid within our school, therefore protecting our families and staff during the next two weeks. Whilst some of the restrictions may seem more robust than in society, they are only there to provide a layer of protection and are not intended to cause inconvenience.

Our principles were to:

1. Reduce transmission between families as much as possible.

2. Reduce the risk of isolating on Christmas Day as much as possible

3. Provide our children with all the exciting activities planned so that they are not disadvantaged.

This means that we have taken the following steps in response.

1. We want to reduce the risk of transmission as much as possible so have decided that families will not be able to attend any events in school over the next two weeks. For us to be able to comply with the guidance sent and proceed with inviting everyone to the events, we would have had to seek copies of negative lateral flow results, copies of PCR tests, proof of vaccination statuses and other documentation for each persons attending, something we would simply not be able to do in time.

2. We have moved all of our larger whole school communal events that usually take place in the last week of school to the first two days of the last week so that if anyone does contract Covid and is to forced isolate, their isolation period should end before Christmas Day. Events taking place after this day are class based only so the impact is less likely to be widespread should the worst happen.

3. Thirdly, and arguably most importantly, we do not want children to miss out on any of the fantastic experiences planned, or feel that they weren’t able to do something that they had set the heart on. That is why we are proceeding with the events we have planned, though they are in a slightly different order than first advertised.

We feel that we have managed to strike a balance between practical life and school, safety and community spirit.

The following itemised changes have been made:

1. Christmas Dinner - has been moved from the Thursday to the Tuesday. You do not need to do anything in response to this, we have swapped the menu for the two days over so there is no impact on the food service for the week. This event will be reduced from whole school, to key stage only.

2. Nativity - will be at school and filmed for parents meaning no in-person performances will take place other than the dress rehearsal to the rest of the school.

3. Christingle service - will be at school and photographs will be taken. Children will still take part as planned and we will make sure they enjoy their part together. As this is a whole school event it will take place in the afternoon on the Tuesday following on from the Christmas dinner.

4. Class Parties will take place on the Friday morning, children can come to school in non-uniform for the morning and be collected at 12pm as previously planned.

5. Film will take place on different days, with different films this means there is not a PJ day for children this year.

A brief overview of key dates is below, these will be added to Dojo to reflect the changes made.

Thank you for your continued understanding in these difficult times. We are all members of the community too, have our own families and want to be able to enjoy the Christmas period without isolating. As a reminder, staff take tests twice weekly (including on staff meeting day when we are all together) and respond to symptoms by taking a PCR test. Please can you continue to play your part by keeping children with symptoms out of school, taking them for a PCR and uploading the results on Arbor.

The office team have recently received the brunt of some disgruntled families who feel, for whatever reason, that the guidance is personal. This is not the case. They are simply doing their job, please treat them with respect, we all feel the frustration but we are on your side and want the children in school as much as you do, just not when they have symptoms.

Thursday, 9 December

Express Afternoon - Going ahead for the children, parents will receive photographs and videos.

Monday, 13 December - Uniform

Key Stage 2 Film - AM

Nativity Filmed - PM

Choir @ Romsey Abbey - TBC, we are waiting on a decision from the other participating schools, though I am more certain than not that it will not go ahead, please wait to hear and for confirmation from Miss Stock.

Tuesday, 14 December - Wear Christmas / Winter Jumpers

Key Stage 1 Film - AM

Christmas Dinner - EYFS/KS1

Christmas Dinner - KS2

Make Christingles - PM

Christingle Service - PM

Wednesday, 15 December - Uniform

Film - EYFS

OPTFA Christmas Faye - Collect children from 2:30pm, as this is outdoors it will go ahead as planned

Thursday, 16 December - Uniform

NSPCC Assembly (Staying Safe)

Habits of Mind Morning (in classes)

Santa Live Read - Year R, 1 and 2 AM

Friday, 17 December - Party Clothes

Parties and Games in class, please do not send food in.

School Closes at 12pm

Safety Procedures

Risk Assessment

COVID RISK ASSESSMENT.pdf

Catchup Premium

Covid Catchup (Web).pdf

Covid Catchup

In July, the Government announced that children in England would benefit from a £1 billion Covid “catch-up” package to tackle the impact of lost teaching time during the pandemic. While some £350 million of this has been set aside for a National Tutoring Programme to give access to high-quality tuition for the most disadvantaged young people, the remainder is allocated per pupil for headteachers to decide how it is spent, based upon their assessment of need.

This one-off grant is available for all state-funded mainstream and special schools, and alternative provision. Allocations are calculated on a per pupil basis, providing each mainstream school with a total of £80 for each pupil from reception to Year 11. Special, alternative provision and hospital schools will be provided with £240 for each place for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

This Page Is For Reference Only

The School Is Now Operating Normally

What is Coronavirus?

Welcome Back Specifics

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are school timings different?



What will happen if we are late to school?

I am worried about September, does my child have to return to school?

 


What does my child need to wear?

Will my child still be able to come to school in P.E. kit?


What about O.W.L. / Forest School?

Can you help with uniform costs?

If you are entitled to Free School Meals, we have allocated up to £50 per child to support with the costs from some suppliers. Please speak with Miss Poole or Mrs Spencer ASAP to arrange this.

More information available here

What are you doing to prioritise Health & Safety?

What about PPE? Does my child need a mask?


Can I come to school to meet staff or drop something off?

I’ve heard that schools need to help with Track and Trace – what do I do?

Can you help with any mental health or anxiety my child may have?

What will happen if my child’s teacher or assistant teacher is ill?

What are you doing to support staff workload?

Do you have plans for learning outdoors/trips/visits/residentials?

My child has missed learning, how will you help them to ‘catch up’ without adding pressure or stress?

How have you adapted the curriculum over next year to account for the differences in attainment between children and lost learning from the previous summer term?

What formal assessments will take place next year and be sent to the DFE?

Will Music Lessons with Mr Vaughn or Mrs Angel still take place?

Will children be able to see their friends from other classes at break time?

Will children still be able to go swimming?

Will Ofsted visit?

What will the lunch menu be?

Can I still pay in cash?

What will happen if my child forgets their lunch?

Will I still get vouchers over the summer period for meals if my child receives free school meals?

Downloads

Further Detailed Information - September 2020

FYI - September 2020 (Parents).pdf

Previous Information (Does not include updates sent via Dojo)