Coronavirus Information to Parents 16th March 2020

Dear Parents/Carers 

I am writing in respect of the current situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and I would like to reassure you that the school and governors are taking the situation very seriously and following the changing situation closely. 

We are diligently following the national advice and guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) and Public Health England (PHE). Currently education settings have been advised to stay open unless directly advised by the PHE Protection Team. If the advice changes we will contact parents with an update as soon as possible. 
 
In the meantime I would like to remind you that PHE’s advice to limit the spread of the virus is to: 

1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water often and before eating, drinking or touching your face 

2.Cover you your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze  

3.Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards  

4.Avoid close contact with people who are unwell 

Pupils should stay at home for seven days if they have either: 

• a high temperature (37.8 degrees and above) 

• a new, continuous cough 

If a child exhibits such symptoms in school we will need to isolate them and contact parents to take them home. 
 
If you think your child has these symptoms - do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them they are staying at home. 

Only use the 111 online coronavirus service if: 

•you feel you cannot cope with your child’s symptoms at home 

•your child’s condition gets worse 

•your child’s symptoms do not get better after seven days  

More information for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus can be found at  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

I would like to thank you for your continuing support at this challenging time. I will be in touch with further updates as they come through from the DfE and PHE.