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Coronavirus Outbreak

RISK ASSESSMENT SEPTEMBER 2020-21

What do I do if my child or my family are isolating?

What do I do if my child's bubble needs to isolate (or the whole school)

November 2020 Return to School Arrangements

Just a personal reflection on our school community (18th March 2020):

Can I just do a big 'shout out' for our school community during very difficult times....

 

We have had offers of help and support from parents (you know who you are and it was so wonderful to hear); we have had staff members going above and beyond (you also know who you are as well, and it just confirms what a great team we have); and, we have had very responsible members self-isolating to protect our school community.

 

We will continue to move forward, despite the challenges, and make sure our children carry on with a love of learning...

 

KR, Geoff

Latest update - 18th March 2020:

I think most people already know (via the SMS/T2P service) that the school will be open as usual tomorrow morning. The school has been thoroughly cleaned according to Government/PHE guidance and we look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

 

As a gentle reminder, it remains very important that parents, carers and staff follow Government advice on whole family self-isolation if anyone shows any Coronavirus symptoms. This is the best way to keep our school community safe.

 

As an aside, current guidance in England is that all schools should remain open but we will keep you all posted as things develop.

 

KR, Geoff

Latest guidance - 17th Mrch 2020 - 2nd update

We have now spoken to Public Health England a couple of times today and they have provided specific advice on re-opening.

 

Unfortunately, I doubt we can re-open tomorrow as the school will need to be cleaned but we are aiming for, but not definitely yet, a Thursday re-opening. As you will appreciate, there are certain logistics we need to put in place to achieve this so I will advise further - probably tomorrow.

 

Many thanks for your patience.

 

KR, Geoff

Chair of Governors

Latest guidance - 17th March 2020

 

Temporary school closure:

As a precautionary measure, and after a new risk assessment conducted after the new Government advice from yesterday evening, the school has concluded that in the best interests of pupils, their families and staff that we must initiate a temporary school closure to get professional advice from Oxfordshire Public Health and Public Health England.

 

Current status:

Just to keep parents and carers informed, Oxfordshire Public Health has been informed of a possible case of Coronavirus at the school and we are still waiting for a response having emailed them last night. Unfortunately, they are not taking direct calls, it is just an answering service. We are looking for alternative routes in to speed the process up but I can only assume they are swamped given the extraordinary circumstances we all find ourselves in.
 
Can I remind all parents (although I'm sure there's no need) that they should take extra precautions to avoid contact with any older/more vulnerable members of your family until we know more.

 

The School would like thank parents and carers for their patience and understanding.

Latest guidance - 16th March 2020 - 2nd Update

As some of you may be aware, Government advice changed around 5pm today.

 

Self-isolation has now been extended from 7 days to 14 days; AND, this should be a whole family isolation if 1 member exhibits symptoms (a new, dry cough AND/OR a raised temperature).

 

Governors will keep parents updated if there are further changes.

Latest guidance - 16th March 2020

There has been a minor change to advice within educational settings. In summary, if children have not developed a new cough or raised temparature then they are deemed fit for school by the Dept for Education/Public Health England.

 

The advice has changed in terms of what to do if a pupil becomes unwell in-school (see the link below). Governors have distributed this advice to senior school staff. In our case, this has not occurred but we would take the appropriate action as and when required.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Latest guidance - 15th March 2020

The Governing Body has checked DfE, PHE and NHS websites for guidance today and there has been no new guidance. We will continue to do this and update parents on the latest changes as they happen.

Latest guidance - 13th March 2020

Government advice is not suggesting that school closures are imminent, with the expectation that schools should focus more on hygiene in-school, i.e. regular and thorough handwashing.

 

The latest advice from the Dept for Education (DfE) can be found here, as distributed on the 'Friends of Dry Sandford School' Facebook page.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19?utm_source=83982872-646c-4859-a204-0dd5346dbfa4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

 

A letter from Governor has also been distributed on Facebook and in school bags.

Latest Guidance - 9th March 2020

We are encouraging children to wash hands more regularly- and for the length of time it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday'. Hands should be washed after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing into hands or after going to the toilet.

After using a tissue to blow their nose, they should bin the tissue and then wash their hands.

 

https://twitter.com/NHSuk/status/1235112744917049346

With regard to the recent Coronavirus infection, mostly it is important that we don't cause the children to be over-anxious at this stage- when the risks are currently very low....schools are being kept up-to-date so that if there is any progression in the infection, we will be the first to know and will put actions in place immediately.

 

At school we have incorporated assemblies to guide the children in really thorough hand-washing. They have also been encouraged to use a tissue when they sneeze or cough, and then to bin the tissue and wash their hands. This is good practice always.

 

If  you wish to know more detail, the link to the government plan with regard to the Coronavirus is below

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869827/Coronavirus_action_plan_-_a_guide_to_what_you_can_expect_across_the_UK.pdf

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