Dear Parent /Carer

I am writing to inform you that this morning I received information that we have a learner in Year 8 who has tested positive for COVID-19.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

Members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) have acted swiftly to track and trace all learners and staff that have had ‘direct or close contact’ and instructed them to self-isolate for 14 days.

I am currently working with Public Health Protection Team and with the Department for Education (DfE) to take the necessary steps to ensure that all staff and learners are safe.

Whilst I appreciate that this will be unwelcomed news for some of our learners and their parents/carers, please be assured that our Distance Learning Programme will be implemented for all learners who are having to self-isolate. These learners should log onto the Academy website to access their learning for all subjects so that they can continue to access high quality provision.

The academy remains open as normal to year groups 7–10 apart from those self-isolating or have a confirmed case of COVID-19.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronaviruscovid-19-infection

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.

If you are able, move 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.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are the recent onset of:

- a new continuous cough

- a high temperature

- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirussymptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19 Do

- wash your hands with soap and water often

– do this for at least 20 seconds

- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

- wash your hands as soon as you get home

- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

What you need to do:

- If your child is isolating please ensure that they access their work on the Academy website, set by their teachers.

- If your child is not self-isolating please ensure that they bring and wear a mask as they enter the academy building and any communal areas.

Yours sincerely

Mr AP Landers

Principal