Today, Tuesday 27 April, we have texted the parents and carers of a small number of Year 10 to inform them that a Year 10 student has tested positive for Covid-19 using a lateral flow test, and have sent them home to self-isolate. Families will appreciate we are unable to share any further personal details, and once again we ask that families are sensitive to this, particularly on social media. We would like to reassure you that we have taken all reasonable infection prevention and control measures in school, and have sought specific advice from Public Health and the Local Authority today about this case.
Following the latest Department for Education and Public Health guidance, those Year 10 who have been in close contact must stay at home and self-isolate up to and including Thursday 6 May, returning to school on Friday 7 May. Those students parents/carers have received a text and explanatory letter today, Tuesday afternoon.
Please note that all other students in Year 10 (and indeed other year groups) have NOT been identified as having had close contact and therefore do not need to make any change to their usual routine, including attending school as they are now.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).
If your child, or anyone in your household, develops these symptoms, your WHOLE household must remain at home, SELF-ISOLATE and not go to work, school or public areas. You should arrange testing for the person who has developed symptoms. When result is known further advice will then be made available to you via the local Track & Trace Team. Under no circumstances should family members go to work/school until a negative test has been received. Mr Wappat explains this in a video
here
If your child tests positive for Covid-19, you must inform school at your very earliest opportunity. This will enable us to work with the Public Health to trace other people your child may have come into contact with and advise them take the necessary precautions and self-isolate. Please be assured that we will not share any personal or confidential information about your child with staff or parents/carers.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with Covid-19:
- 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
For full details of how the school has been operating since September, following all government guidance please see our permanent webpage here:
www.normanby.outwood.com/september
Thank you for your continued support and understanding, it is always very much appreciated.