Dear Parent/Carer
We wanted to write and update families after what has been another incredibly busy week.
As you will have seen in the news, the government has extended the period of restrictions and this has had ramifications for schools. Sadly, we’ve had to postpone our Year 5 Open Evening and cancel our Year 6 transition day and both Year 11 and Year 13 proms.
There has also been a rise in cases in the Eden area, and following local authority advice we are reintroducing the wearing of face coverings in communal areas, effective from Monday 21 June 2021. This will be optional in lessons, for staff and students, but in corridors and other indoor communal areas face coverings must be worn, unless medically exempt.
I would also like to encourage students to continue with their twice weekly LFD testing, new kits are being issued this week by form tutors.
The guidance from Public Health England has changed slightly on testing so we would like to clarify for those who are unsure.
- If a student/member of staff tests positive for Covid-19 on a lateral flow (LFD) test then they must immediately isolate, and book a PCR test, either by ringing 119 or via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
- Members of their family should also isolate whilst they await results
- Parents/staff should contact school to alert us to a positive LFD test. We will identify their close contacts and they will be asked to isolate until we receive the PCR results
- If the PCR results come back negative then that overrides the LFD and everyone can leave isolation
– New guidance issued Thursday 17 June 2021 –
- If the PCR results are positive then that person must continue to isolate for ten days, contacts must also continue to isolate for 10 days. Contacts now only need to book a PCR test if they themselves have covid symptoms
- Even if contacts PCR tests are negative they must still isolate for ten days.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all the members of our community for their continued support; in particular the students, who continue to impress with their mature and responsible approach to these challenging times.
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher