Dear Parent/Carer
Happy New Year Everyone!
Just a reminder of our staggered start to the school year;
Years 9, 11 and 13 return on Wednesday 5 January 2022
Years 8, 10 and 12 return on Thursday 6 January 2022
Year 7 return on Friday 7 January 2022
We will be lateral flow testing all students that have consent over these first three days.
The advice has changed over the Christmas break, and even if students have tested positive in the last 90 days, if they have testing consent, they will be lateral flow tested. PHE states that “at the moment Omicron is so good at reinfecting people who’ve had delta that there’s a higher chance of a positive result within 90 days being a true reinfection than a residual positive”.
Positive Covid Cases
If someone develops symptoms or has a positive LFD test they should stay at home and self-isolate immediately, booking a PCR test.
Once the PCR is confirmed, they can stop self-isolating after 10 full days if symptoms have gone, or if the only symptoms they have are a cough or anosmia (loss of smell) , which can last for several weeks. If they still have a high temperature after 10 days or are otherwise unwell, they should stay at home and seek medical advice.
They may be able to end their self-isolation period before the end of the 10 full days. They can take an LFD test from 6 days after the day their symptoms started (or the day their PCR test was taken if they did not have symptoms), and another LFD test on the following day. The second LFD test should be taken at least 24 hours later. If both these test results are negative, and they do not have a high temperature, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative test result. They must report their LFD results after taking each test.
Please keep school informed in any event.
Close Contacts
Children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months identified as close contacts are strongly advised to take a LFD test every day for 7 days, or until 10 days since their last contact with the positive case if this is earlier, and continue to attend school as normal, unless they have a positive LFD test result.
Face Coverings
From Sunday 2 January, the government recommends that face coverings are worn in classrooms where pupils in year 7 and above are educated. The advice is short term only, to support pupils and teachers as they return to school this term and builds on the existing proportionate guidance that recommends face coverings for all adults in communal areas of all settings.
We have a stock of disposable face masks but would ask students and staff to wear reusable face coverings wherever possible.
This measure is expected to be reviewed on Wednesday 26 January 2022.
Uniform
Our uniform has looked great this academic year, the new optional items look really smart and have been a popular choice for students.
On our return to school, all students need to be wearing the correct uniform, including appropriate school shoes. Please also remember that excessive make-up, any form of nail varnish or acrylic and false eyelashes are not accepted in the schools uniform policy. In the event any student returns to school wearing incorrect uniform, they may be sent home in order to correct it.
If you have any questions or may need financial help to provide uniform for your child, please visit our website and read more about our support fund; https://ullswatercc.co.uk/policies/
On their return to school students should go straight to their form room for 8.55am.
Please find attached a copy of your child’s timetable – they will also receive a paper copy of this on their return.
If you would like to read the recent letter from Colin Cox, Director of Public Health, please visit our website here.
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher