COVID-19 Parent and Carer information

2nd October 2020

Letter to Parents and Carers of pupils at Spa School Bermondsey

Dear Parents and Carers

I am writing to inform you that today we were notified that one of our pupils has tested positive for COVID-19. 

The safety and well-being of everyone in the school community is our first priority, and we have followed the advice from Public Health England (PHE) and the Department for Education (DfE). We have arranged for the other pupils in the child’s class, as well as anyone else (staff and pupils) identified as a close contact, to go home and to quarantine for 14 days.

If we did not call you this morning to collect your child, it is because your child has not been in close contact with the affected pupil, and should therefore attend school.

Please also read the information below which has been provided by Public Health England. If your child develops a cough, temperature or loss of taste or smell, we ask that you call 111 and follow their advice as to whether a test is required.

Please contact the school if you have any concerns.

Yours sincerely

Simon Eccles

Headteacher

 

Information from Public Health England

 

COVID-19 Symptoms

If your child is well now, they do not need any specific treatment. However, you should be vigilant for any symptoms of COVID-19 infection.

The common symptoms of COVID-19 are: 

· a high temperature, and/or
· a new continuous cough
· loss of sense of taste or smell

If you, or anyone in your family, has these symptoms now or in the future, arrange to have a test as soon as possible, stay at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started, even if you are mildly unwell. All other members of your household will need to self-isolate for 14 days. This is to protect others in your community. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. If you or your child become very unwell, then contact NHS 111 for advice.

Testing for people with symptoms is available and more information can be found here

 

Precautions

There are things you can do to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus:
· wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
· when you leave your home, always wash your hands when you return
· use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
· 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
· try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

 

 

21st August 2020

 

The last 6 months has been an unprecedented time of upheaval, change and uncertainty.  Many of our pupils have been at home since March and we know the impact this has had on many of you.

Our full risk assessment can be click here and families are invited to read it prior to their child returning to school.

Any family that would like to discuss their child’s return is very welcome to contact Simon or Georgina by telephone or e-mail. 

To prepare for a full return of pupils in September, we have implemented the following changes. 

  • We have implemented Key Stage Bubbles.  This will mean pupils only have contact with other pupils and staff at school who are assigned to their bubble.
  • Each Key Stage now has their own lunch time, clubs time and break time.
  • Staff are assigned to only one bubble to minimise social interactions.
  • There will be no gatherings of more than one bubble – for example, Assembly will now happen remotely.
  • We have worked with Transport to ensure that pupils are only on buses with other members of their key stage bubble.
  • We will collect the names of visitors to site and will retain them for three weeks so that we can comply with NHS Track and Trace.
  • We have installed additional sinks and automatic hand sanitizer dispensers around the school.
  • We will be teaching all pupils good hand hygiene and all staff will reinforce this.
  • We will not be expecting pupils to socially distance from pupils in their class groups.  We will encourage those that are able to, to socially distance from others outside of their class group.
  • We will support friendships outside of class groups to be maintained in a socially distanced manner.
  • We will contact you if a member of staff or pupil in your child’s class group has suspected symptoms and will inform you immediately if that results in a positive test.
  • We have changed arrival and dismissal times:
    • Independent travellers and those arriving with parents and carers are asked to arrive between 8:45 and 8:55.
    • Independent travellers and those collected by parents and carers will be dismissed at 3:05.
    • Those arriving via Transport will arrive at school at 9am and dismissal will begin at 3:10.  It is anticipated that dismissal will take slightly longer than normal, at least for the first two weeks.