Covid-19 Community Letter
16th September 2021
Dear Parent / Carer,
I am writing to inform you that there has been a number confirmed cases of confirmed COVID-19 within the school community.
As a result we have been advised the London Coronavirus Response Cell (LCRC) and Tower Hamlets to implement our school outbreak plan. A copy of the outbreak plan can be found on the school website, and the points to be implemented from tomorrow, Friday 17th September are as follows:
• The re-introduction of face masks for all students and staff in all communal areas and classrooms.
• A continuation of twice-weekly home testing for all staff and students (testing kits are available to collect from form tutors)
• A cancellation of all mixed gatherings including assemblies, open events, prayers and performances
It is a legal requirement for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, or a positive test result, to self-isolate for 10 days.
These are the steps that you can take to reduce the spread of infection:
1. Limiting social contact as much as possible, particularly with any vulnerable people.
2. The wearing of a mask if over the age of 11 in indoor crowded spaces and on transport.
3. Maintaining high standards of hand hygiene at all times.
4. Twice weekly rapid tests at home or at a community test centre.
It is very important that you continue to inform the school of any positive test results so that we can ensure necessary steps are taken to keep everyone in the school community safe.
For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/covid19 or https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Paul Woods
Headteacher
Appendix 1: How to stop COVID-19 spreading
If someone you live with is at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus, you should be particularly careful in implementing the following public health measures:
– Ensuring every member of your household washes their hands with soap and water regularly for 20s (or use hand gel sanitiser) and has good respiratory hygiene.
– Aim to keep 2 metres away from vulnerable people you live with and encourage them to sleep in another bed
– Minimise as much as possible the time any vulnerable family members spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
– If you do share a toilet or bathroom with a vulnerable person, it is important that you clean them every time you use them, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with
– Clean and disinfect household surfaces regularly, especially ‘high touch’ surfaces
– Avoid sharing towels with the vulnerable household member
Please also remember general public health measures to reduce the risk of infection in our community by:
• Staying at home as much as possible.
• Staying safe outside your home, including by maintaining social distancing (at least 2 metres) when near people who are not your household members
• Wearing cloth face coverings when in crowded public spaces (e.g. public transport and shops) to protect others.
• Regular hand washing with soap and water regularly for 20s (or use hand gel sanitiser) and good respiratory hygiene.
Appendix 2: What to do if your child develops symptoms
Please be aware of possible symptoms of coronavirus during this period. The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
• fever (greater than 37.8°C)
• new persistent/continuous cough; and/or
• loss or change in sense of taste or smell.
If anyone in your household develops any of these symptoms, however mild, they need to stay at home for a period of 10 days from when they were last in contact with the positive case.
You can seek advice from NHS or by calling 111. The person with symptoms should access testing via the NHS testing website or by phoning 119. Do not wait; ask for a test as soon as possible after symptoms start. If it is your child who is displaying symptoms you can request a test on their behalf. If your child develops coronavirus symptoms, promptly inform the school. If your child tests positive for coronavirus, promptly inform the school.
If anyone in your household develops symptoms, if you can, consider moving any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
If your child develops coronavirus symptoms, promptly inform the school. If your child tests positive for coronavirus, promptly inform the school.