Announcement

Term 3 2022 Update for parents

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I do hope you have all enjoyed Christmas and New Year and managed to catch up with friends and family over the festive period.  Here at school, we are very much looking forward to welcoming students back on Thursday and embracing the excitement and opportunity of the new calendar year. 

I write with some important Covid-19 updates for the week ahead ... 

 

On-site Asymptomatic Testing 

  • Thank you for your support in ensuring students are able to attend their testing appointments on Wednesday this week - A reminder that students return to lessons on Thursday 6th January at 8.45am

  • Any student unable to attend on-site testing should test at home before returning to the school site 

  • Department for Education guidance has changed and now states that even if someone has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they are strongly encouraged to take part in LFD testing on-site or at home once they have completed their isolation period for their prior infection

 

Face coverings 

  • We have received updated guidance from the Department for Education in response to the increase in cases of the Omicron variant which advises that all students, unless exempt, should now wear face coverings in classrooms, as well as in communal areas of the school

  • Please can you remind students that they should have a face covering, and preferably also a spare, with them at school each day. 

  • Lunchtime detentions will be given to students by staff at Student Services for any disposable masks that need to be issued

  • This guidance is due to be reviewed nationally on Wednesday 26th January 

 

Self-isolation  

  • Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you are unable to test for any reason

  • Individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. The first day of self-isolation is Day 0

  • Those who receive two negative test results, prescribed 24 hours apart on Day 6 and Day 7, are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation

  • If both these test results are negative, and individuals do not have a high temperature, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to school from Day 8

  • Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation

 

Daily testing for close contacts of COVID-19 

  • People who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months, identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, should take an LFD test every day for seven days and continue to attend their setting as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time. 

 

More broadly ... 

  • Assemblies will continue to be delivered remotely, until the current guidance is reviewed

  • Risk Assessment and Outbreak Management Plans have been updated in accordance with the new guidance and we will continue to do all we can to ensure the health and safety of the wider school community

 

Who knows what is ahead for us personally and as a school community in terms of the impact and endurance of the COVID-19 pandemic but I know from experience that our forbearance, collaboration and partnership will overcome any challenge. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy new year, and to thank you in advance for your continued support, empathy and encouragement. 

Best wishes, 

Mr W Manning
Headteacher 

Back to Top