Good Morning,
West Sussex (our host authority) have asked me to remind you of the following:
6 Day Test and Trace during the Christmas Holidays – messages to staff and parents
The DfE is recommending that all schools make sure that their staff and parents/carers are aware of the following information and relevant arrangements regarding positive cases in the holidays:
- Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
- For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.
- School staff are not asked to remain on-call or conduct any contact tracing more than 6 days after the final day of teaching. As Farney Closes last teaching day is on Wednesday 16 December, there should be no pupil contact tracing asks beyond Tuesday 22 December. Farney Close have a dedicated COVID mobile for the Christmas break. This number can be obtained by calling into the school or emailing one of the staff as it will bounce back to you on the out of office information.
Where pupils are required to self-isolate due to contact with a positive case after the first 6 days following the end of term, schools do not need to be informed about their absence until the first day of the new term.
For the first 6 days after the end of term, schools are not asked to be on-call at all times. Staff responsible for contact tracing may designate a limited period in the day to receive notification of positive cases and advise close contacts to self-isolate (this can be done by text or email). The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline and PHE advice service are available to support with any queries you have about positive cases in your school.
When advising your parents/carers and staff about your arrangements, you may wish to include the below messages:
Public Health England guidance states that 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.
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
Please remember to:
- 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 is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Let me finish by wishing you all a happy, safe Christmas.
Kind Regards
Sara
