Charlton School

Monday 3^rd January 2022

Dear Parent / Carer,

Happy New Year! As I am sure you are aware, Coronavirus cases remain very high, both Nationally and Locally.  The DfE have stated that, unless exempt, all secondary school children will need to wear a face covering in school, including in classrooms until at least Wednesday 26 January, when Plan B regulations are currently scheduled to expire, at which point it will be reviewed by the government.  Please provide your child with a face covering every day.

Please find below a reminder about the start of term details for testing and returning to school, and further information from the Local Authority about vaccines for the over 12 year olds.

Testing will take place on the following days with students starting back to school the day after their test.  Please ensure students wear a face covering whilst in school for their tests.

Tuesday 4^th January - Years 7, 8 and 11

Wednesday 5^th January - Years 9 and 10

Please arrange for your child to attend school on the following days and times, they will be here for a very short period of time and will then return home.  They should enter the building through the main reception:

Year 7 – Tuesday 4^th January

Year 8 – Tuesday 4^th January

Year 11 – Tuesday 4^th January

Year 9 – Wednesday 5^th January

Year 10 – Wednesday 5^th January

If your child tests positive you will be contacted directly by school.  If your child is unable to attend in-school testing at the times above, please ensure they have tested at home prior to their return to school on the following dates:

Wednesday 5^th January – Year 7, Year 8, and Year 11 only

Thursday 6^th January – All year groups

A box of home test kits will be distributed to students on Friday 7^th January to enable them to continue testing twice weekly at home and to report all results to NHS Test and Trace.

The local authority have asked us to share the following information.

Children aged 12-15 years invited for first or second COVID-19 vaccination

On 20 December, the government announced that children aged 12-15 can now get their second COVID-19 vaccine dose if it’s been more than 12 weeks since their first vaccine dose.

Walk-ins and booked appointments now available for 12-15 year olds

We are encouraging this age group to get their second dose as soon as they are eligible at either a walk-in clinic or by booking an appointment online during the Christmas holidays.  Whilst arrangements will be made with schools to offer vaccinations in the new term, these are not yet confirmed and will be subject to the availability of health teams.  The quickest way to get a second dose is to book an appointment now if it has been 12 weeks since their first dose.

When should 12-15 year olds get their second dose?

Most children can get a second dose from 12 weeks after they had their first dose.  If your child hasrecently tested positive for COVID-19they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine. This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.

Can children book an appointment to get their first dose if they have not yet had it?

Yes.  We know some children missed out on having their first dose during the Autumn Term.  Children 12-15 can also get their first dose from either a walk-in clinic or by booking an appointment online. If your child has recently tested positive for COVID-19 they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine. This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.  Please note children and young people who are at greater risk of COVID-19 due to them living with serious health conditions are eligible to two doses of vaccine 8 weeks apart – you can find out more about this from your GP or specialist or online here

How and where can they get their first or second dose?

Book online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy or Find a walk-in vaccination site

Please support the school to minimise the disruption to learning by following the government guidance and by ensuring your child has a face covering in school everyday.

Yours faithfully

Mr A McNaughton

Principal