Coronavirus Update

Published

We are continuing to monitor the developing situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are following advice from Public Health England and the Local Authority. There are now a number of designated areas with implications for travellers which fall into category 1 or 2. I want to reassure you that our recent ski trip falls into a category 2 area and if students are well they will continue to be in school. See list below of current Category areas.

Designated Category Areas:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

Areas Category 1: Travellers should self-isolate even if they feel well – see information below on self-isolation.

Areas Category 2: Travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

Please can we ask that if you have travelled to any of the Category 1 or 2 areas in the last 14 days and your child becomes unwell with cough, fever or shortness of breath, self-isolate them and seek medical advice from NHS 111. Please inform the student absence line of the reason for absence.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • washing your hands often – with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available.
  • covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin.

What to do if a pupil, student or staff member has travelled from a Category 2 specified country/area in the last 14 days

If they are currently well:

  • they are advised to self-isolate only if they develop symptoms (cough, fever or shortness of breath)
  • they can continue to attend work or education
  • they do not need to avoid contact with other people
  • their family do not need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities
  • testing people with no symptoms for COVID-19 is currently not recommended

If they become unwell:

  • they should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as they would with other flu viruses (see this home isolation advice sheet).
  • they (or a family member, colleague or member of staff) should call NHS 111 immediately for them to be assessed by an appropriate specialist, as quickly as possible
  • they should stay at home and should not attend work or education
  • they should not go directly to their GP or other healthcare environment
  • if they require emergency medical attention, call 999 and tell the call handler or ambulance control that the person has a history of recent travel to risk areas for COVID-19

We continue to monitor this on a daily basis.

Government Advice for Parents and Guardians – Coronavirus

Published

The Government has asked us to pass on the following information about the Coronavirus:

Advice to Parent/Guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.

There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their early years, school or further education setting as normal.

We recognise that some families or children may be planning to travel to China during the forthcoming half term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the links below: