Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Situation

We will use this page to update and inform parents and carers about any changes to school arrangements due to Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions enforced by Government and the Department of Education (DfE).

Covid-19 Situation - from 27th January

​Schools' Covid-19 Safety Measures were updated from the Government changes in relation to Test and Tracing of Close Contacts from 14th December 2021, Isolation Periods from 17th January 2022, and Face Coverings from 27th January.

Letters

Operational Guidance Parents Letter Sept 21
File Size: 540 kb
File Type: pdf
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Risk Assessment

Covid-19 Risk Assessment Jan 22
File Size: 681 kb
File Type: pdf
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Outbreak Management Plan

Outbreak Management Plan Sept 21
File Size: 442 kb
File Type: pdf
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Flow Chart in the event of children displaying Covid-19 symptoms and handling confirmed cases

Covid-19 Flowchart Jan 22
File Size: 814 kb
File Type: pdf
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Isolation Periods

Rapid Testing for Households

​Adults in households, childcare bubbles and support bubbles of children in primary school can now order Lateral Flow Test Kits and take part in rapid testing twice weekly if you wish to do so.

Please see the leaflet below for full details:
A Guide to Regular Rapid Testing for Parents
File Size: 86 kb
File Type: pdf
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How the school will use the Covid19 catch-up premium

Catch-Up Premium Plan 20-21 Phase 1
File Size: 782 kb
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Catch-up Premium Plan 21-22 Phase 2
File Size: 784 kb
File Type: pdf
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Remote Learning

In the event of children needing to isolate due to confirmed cases within school or a local outbreak, we will continue to place lessons and resources on the Home Learning page to ensure pupils can continue education during an isolation period.

You will need a password to access these resources. This has been issued to parents already.
If you need a reminder, please contact the school office. We can also supply forgotten passwords for other online resources.
Remote Learning: Information for Parents
File Size: 351 kb
File Type: pdf
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Shropshire Guidance

Coronavirus Website
​Coronavirus | Shropshire Council

DfE Guidance

Operational Guidance
​Schools COVID-19 operational guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Contingency Framework
​Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Useful Websites

General advice from HM Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Coronavirus Explained for Children

Axel Scheffler (illustrator of the Gruffalo) has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. Published by Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company, the book has had expert input: Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:
• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What’s going to happen next?

​Please find a copy of the book below:
Coronavirus - A Book for Children
File Size: 17234 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Summary of Operational Guidance

Below is a summary of the changes in relation to Face Coverings from 27th January 2022. Please read these carefully:
  1. From 27 January, face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in communal areas (but staff may wish to continue to wear one.
  2. Public Health may advise face coverings all areas of the school site in the event of an outbreak – see Outbreak Management Plan.
  3. Face visors should only be worn by those who are exempt from wearing masks.

Below is a summary of the changes in relation to Isolation Periods of Positive Cases from 17th January 2022. Please read these carefully:
  1. From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.
  2. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.
  3. If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.
  4. Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10day period of self-isolation.
  5. For primary aged children, LFD test kits are available through the usual routes (community test sites, local pharmacies or online).
Below is a summary of the changes in relation to the Management of Suspected & Positive Cases and Contact Tracing from 14th December 2021. Please read these carefully:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 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.
  3. 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 up to 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.
  4. For primary aged children, LFD test kits are available through the usual routes (community test sites, local pharmacies or online).
  5. 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.
  6. Remote Education/Home Learning will be provided to those pupils who have been forced to isolate and are well enough to carry out the work at home in line with our Home Learning Policy – when necessary, this will continue to be provided via our Home Learning page on our school’s website which is password protected.
  7. The school is required to have an Outbreak Management Plan which has been created in line with the latest Contingency Framework: Education and Childcare Settings in the event of an outbreak in school or local area which meets one of two thresholds described in the Contingency Framework. The school will be advised by Public Health Teams which measures to implement if/when necessary.
Below is a summary of the safety measures introduced as a temporary measure from 27th November 2021. Please read these carefully:
​
  1. Face Coverings should be worn in communal areas in all settings by staff and visitors, unless you are exempt. Therefore, it is now mandatory for parents/carers to wear a face covering if you come into the school building e.g. reception area. It isn’t mandatory to wear face coverings outside around the school site as yet, but you may wish to also wear a face mask at drop-off/collection times.  
Below is a summary of the operation of school since September 2021 which remain in place and have not changed (unless measures are implemented to prevent an 'outbreak'). Please read these points carefully:

  1. Children are no longer required to keep in strict ‘bubbles’ - pupils can mix between classes when necessary (e.g. assemblies, maths groups, etc.)
  2. Children are no longer required to avoid mixing at break/lunch times - all pupils will have playtime together at the same time at 10.40am
  3. Whole-School assemblies can resume face-to-face
  4. The school will continue to operate the one-way system at Drop-off and Collection times to avoid congestion at pinch points around the school site (We will keep this under review)
  5. Drop-off - Parents to drop children off on the respective playground/s (Class 1 & 2 on the Rear playground and Class 3, 4 & 5 on the Front playground) between 8.35am – 8.50am. A member of staff will supervise children on each playground. Parents will continue around the one-way system to exit the school site
  6. Collection – Parents to collect children from the respective classroom/s and continue around the one-way system to exit the school site with their child/ren
  7. Children will continue with their frequent handwashing routine throughout the day
  8. The school’s cleaning regime will continue, including the cleaning of shared items
  9. Pupils will continue to be provided with an individual pencil case and stationary – there is no need for children to bring their own items in from home
  10. Rooms will continue to be well ventilated while a comfortable teaching and learning environment is maintained – schools to be provided with CO2 monitors to regulate this during the Autumn Term
  11. Trips and visits may resume, providing there is a thorough risk assessment in place and the school has adequate financial protection
  12. Extra-curricular clubs can resume between classes – a separate letter will be issued to parents/carers in the next couple of weeks
  13. Sports competitions can resume between schools, following separate guidance
  14. Schools may resume live performances/events if safe to do so, following specific guidance – further information will be provided to parents/carers prior to each event
  15. All meetings can be held face-to-face, but we still urge parents to pre-book an appointment beforehand if you wish to speak with the Class Teacher/Headteacher
  16. Social distancing is not required; however, it is necessary, for the time being in this transitional phase, to reduce and avoid congestion at particular times of the day which could lead to mass transmission e.g. drop-off, pick-up, corridors, staffroom, etc
  17. Before and After-School childcare will operate as normal – please pre-book via the online form.