Covid 19 update and reminders June 2021

16^th June 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Covid 19 update and reminders

As cases continue to rise both nationally and locally, I thought it timely to provide some reminders about the government guidance and testing. It is paramount that we prevent the virus entering the school as much as possible, we can do this by conducting regular testing and following the isolation guidance for families with symptoms.

I would like to remind parents/carers that if anyone in your household has been unwell and taken a PCR covid test, your child should remain at home until a negative test result is confirmed. Please do not send your child into school while you or any family member are waiting for the result.

We have been very lucky that our students and staff have been in school without the need for further isolation periods, since we returned from lockdown earlier in the year, up until the very last day of half-term. We have had a positive lateral flow test at the start of this week, but the PCR test has come back negative, and students have been able to return to school.

To be able to continue without further disruption, the Covid self-tests play a vital part in tracking any possible cases quickly to prevent others needing to isolate, and class and year group bubbles being sent home. The system is planned to encourage twice weekly testing, on Sunday and Wednesday evenings or Monday and Thursday mornings.

We believe through discussion with students they have ample tests at home, should this not be the case these are readily available for collection from reception by students.

How to administer the tests

Instructions on how to complete the tests are available online, in English and 12 other languages, and there is an Easy Read version. You can view an NHS video demonstration on YouTube following the link below:

NHS home testing video demo

How to report test results

When you have carried out the test, please record the results on the government website, using the link below. The government would like all test outcomes, both negative and positive recorded online and are monitoring the number of tests conducted and the number of positive outcomes.

Report a Covid test result

To simplify the process of recording, we are now asking that you only need to report positive cases to school. Please do this in the following way:

During school hours, you should contact us on 01952 386800. Out of school hours, including during the weekend or school holidays, please email covid@charlton.uk.com and we will try to answer you as soon as possible. Please also call the school at the first opportunity.

If the test result is positive:

Your child must not attend school.
Advise school as soon as possible either by calling or emailing covid@charlton.uk.com
Record the LFT results on the report a test website link above.
Book a PCR test – advise the school once the result is received.

If the test result is VOID:

Your child must retake the test with a new kit.
A second VOID should be assumed as a positive and a PCR test should be booked.
Advise the school as soon as possible either by calling or emailing covid@charlton.uk.com
Provide a further update to the school once the PCR test result is received.
Your child should stay at home until a negative PCR result is received.

If the test result is negative:

Record the results on the report test website link above.
Your child can attend school as usual.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID 19)

If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should remain at home and seek a PCR test. Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). Anyone with symptoms will need to take a PCR test https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

All other household members must stay at home until the outcome of the PCR test is known. If the test is positive, they should remain in isolation for 10 days. Household members should not go to work, school or public areas, and exercise should be taken within the home.

For more information, please read PHE’s ‘Stay at Home’ guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

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-coronavirus-symptoms/. 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 coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading

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

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

Further Information

Further information is available at

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Many thanks for your continued support and cooperation. Together we can help reduce further spread of the virus, prevent disruption in school and hopefully allow step 4 to be reached on the 19^th July.

Kind regards

Mr A McNaughton

Principal