Hello Everyone,
I am sure that you all saw the government announcement yesterday, informing us that most COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted. This means that from today, we are lifting the restrictions that we have had in place in school this term.
To protect the health and safety of our staff and pupils, the following control measures will remain in place:
- Hand Hygiene: Frequent and thorough hand cleaning is now part of our regular practice. We will continue to ensure that pupils and staff clean their hands regularly.
- Respiratory Hygiene: We will continue to use the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.
- Cleaning: We will maintain the current cleaning schedule using appropriate detergents. This includes regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
- Ventilation: Occupied spaces will be well ventilated. We will balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
- Testing and Positive Cases: Pupils, staff and other adults should follow public health advice.
- Vaccination: We have asked that all school staff take up the offer of a vaccine.
All restrictions will be removed. Therefore, from today, the following will be in place:
- Asymptomatic Testing: Staff will no longer need to take a twice weekly lateral flow test.
- Clubs: Breakfast Club and After School Club will resume normal operations.
- Lunchtimes: Will continue with the current arrangement
- Visitors: Will be allowed back into the school buildings.
- Classroom Resources: Resources can be shared between classes.
- Break times: Classes can play in the playground with other classes.
- Social Distancing: There will be no requirements for social distancing in school.
- Face Coverings: Are no longer required. Staff, visitors and children can continue to wear face coverings, if they wish.
- All staff meetings will take place in person
- Assemblies will take place in person
- Parent meetings will resume in person
Self-isolation
From 24 February, the Government will remove the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test and will no longer ask fully vaccinated close contacts and those aged under 18 to test daily for 7 days. Routine contact tracing will end.
Adults and children who test positive will continue to be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least 5 full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received 2 negative test results on consecutive days.
Staff, children and young people who are contacts should attend school as usual. This includes staff who have been in close contact within their household.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will publish updated guidance on 24 February 2022 and we will send out updated guidance to you all then.
Children with COVID-19 symptoms
If a child has symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice remains unchanged and is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms should order a test and is advised to stay at home while waiting for the result. If they test positive, they are advised to follow public health advice.
Thank you again for all your support with the endless challenges that the pandemic has thrown at us over the past two years.
With best wishes,
Susan Papas
