Dear Parent,
I am writing to update you on the latest information relating to the COVID-19 virus.
We currently have no pupils or members of staff who have tested positive for coronavirus. We are well stocked with soap and hand sanitiser and all pupils have been reminded of the importance of washing their hands frequently and thoroughly. Regularly touched objects and surfaces are being cleaned and disinfected more often than usual. Although younger people are unlikely to become seriously ill, we do have some members of the school community who have conditions that make them more vulnerable and we all want to do our bit to make school as safe a place as possible.
The government’s latest guidance is clear that the most common symptoms of coronavirus are the recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature. If your son or daughter has these symptoms, however mild, they should not attend school but rather should stay at home and not leave the house for seven days from when the symptoms started. You do not need to call NHS 111 at this stage but should do so if the symptoms worsen after one week of self-isolation. Please inform School of any pupil absence in the usual way.
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education. Parents and young people can contact this helpline by ringing 0800 046 8687. The opening hours for this service are 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 4pm (Saturday to Sunday).
We are receiving a government briefing email daily to keep us up to date with the current situation and I will of course respond and follow the guidance given. I will keep you all fully informed of any further actions the School needs to take in the future and will communicate with relevant groups of parents in relation to events and trips which may now have to be rescheduled or cancelled as a consequence of the current ongoing situation.
Please continue to pray for all those who are ill, for the NHS teams responding to the outbreak, for wisdom from our leaders and for a careful scientifically led public response. A prayer from the Church of England…
‘Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort, knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.’
Yours sincerely,
RD Jones
Headmaster