Covid-19 Update Letter – 25.02.22
Friday 25th February 2022
Dear Parent/Carer,
You will be aware that from Thursday 24th the government guidance regarding Covid-19 was updated. Operational guidance for schools was released yesterday afternoon and can be found here – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057106/220224_Schools_guidance.pdf
A few key points to highlight following the government announcement include:
- Masks were made a temporary arrangement as part of our school’s contingency plan prior to the half term. As of Monday 28th February, masks will no longer be required to be worn for staff, students or visitors in school, but they may continue to wear a mask should they wish to.
- Staff and students should continue to ensure good hygiene and keep spaces well ventilated.
- Staff and students no longer need to continue taking part in regular asymptomatic testing.
- There is no longer a legal requirement for people with Covid-19 to self-isolate. However if you have any of the main symptom of Covid-19 (a new and continuous cough, a high temperature, a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste of smell) you are advised to take a test. The public health advice is still to stay at home and avoid contact with other people whilst you are awaiting results. As many people are no longer infectious after 5 days, if you receive two consecutive negative results and you do not have a high temperature, the risk that you are still infectious is much lower and you can safely return to your normal routine, taking caution. The image on the next page summarises this.
- We recommend all school staff and eligible students to take up the offer of the vaccine. The NHS team will be in school on Thursday 10th March from to offer 1st, 2nd or booster vaccinations for our staff, students and their immediate families. A letter regarding vaccination for students during the school day was sent to parents on 10th We will send details regarding the vaccination clinic in school for immediate family members of our students after the school day shortly.
We are working with the school’s Health and Safety Officer to create a ‘living with Covid’ summary document which will be available to view on our website imminently. This will be updated as we receive news and updates from the government. Our school Covid-19 contingency plan will still be in operation.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Woods
Headteacher
