COVID-19 Information

 As part of the Step 4 guidance issued by the government, schools are expected to open and deliver face-to-face education for all pupils at the start of this new academic year. As Covid-19 becomes a virus which we have to learn to live with, it is now imperative to reduce the disruption to children’s education, particularly given that the risk to children is extremely low.  The key messages from the guidance are:

• Only close contacts of positive cases, who are over 18 years 6 months, and have not been double vaccinated may need to self-isolate as instructed by NHS Test and Trace.
• Children who are close contacts of positive cases, whether the positive case is in their class or in their household, will not need to self-isolate.
• All close contacts of a positive case will be encouraged to take a PCR test. However, under 5s are only eligible where the positive case is a household contact. A PCR test should not be arranged for anyone if they have previously received a positive PCR test result in the previous 90 days, unless they develop any new symptoms of COVID-19 as it is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.
• If a close contact without symptoms chooses not to take a PCR test then they can attend school as usual.
• If a close contact without symptoms chooses to take a PCR test then they can attend school as usual while they wait for the result.
• Face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas. However, if adults (staff, visitors or contractors) wish to wear them outside the classroom as a personal preference then we should allow them to do so.

Our detailed planning and ongoing review, following any updates to guidance and advice, can be read in our school risk assessment below and we hope that these bring assurances to you.  If you would like to discuss any of these further, then please contact the school office. 

What is the Catch Up Premium?

The government has announced £1 billion of funding to support children and young people to catch up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a one-off universal £650 million catch-up premium for the 2020 to 2021 academic year to ensure that schools have the support they need to help all pupils make up for lost teaching time. Schools should use this funding for specific activities to support their pupils to catch up for lost teaching over the previous months, in line with the guidance on curriculum expectations for the next academic year. Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances. Please see our Catch Up Premium Strategy below.

Paper copies of this information are available, free of charge. Please contact the office to request a copy or with any further queries or concerns.