What control measures will be in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission?

Ensuring good hygiene for everyone

• Pupils and adults will be expected to practise good hand hygiene throughout the school day - hand sanitiser solution will be freely available, as well as soap and warm water.
• Staff will promote the “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” message and lidded bins will be provided in every classroom for disposal of tissues.
• PPE will be available to staff in the small number of cases where it may be needed.

Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes

• Additional cleaning will ensure staff and children’s toilets are cleaned after morning break and at the end of the school day.
• Frequently touched surfaces in communal areas e.g. handrails, door handles and keypads are cleaned at the end of each day.
• Classroom and offices are cleaned at the end of each day.
• All classrooms and offices will have access to cleaning materials to clean frequently touched surfaces more regularly and as needed.

Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated

• Where possible, windows will be open.
• Where rooms do not have windows, rooms can be used but internal doors must be open.
• External doors will only be left open if it is safe to do so i.e., they lead onto the enclosed playground.
• The balance for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature will be constantly reviewed with additional measures taken as needed.

Following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19

When an individual develops COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive test

• If anyone becomes unwell with symptoms which are linked to COVID-19 they will be sent home and advised to follow Stay at Home guidance.
• Children awaiting collection will be moved to a separate room. They will be supervised as appropriate by a member of staff. If a distance of 2m cannot be maintained, supervising staff will wear PPE.
• In most cases, parents and carers will agree that a pupil with symptoms should not attend the school, given the potential risk to others.  If a parent or carer insists on a pupil attending school Headteacher (or designated alternate) may take the decision to refuse the pupil entry if it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19.
• From 16 August, if you are a contact of someone who has COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated, or aged under 18 years 6 months, you will not be required to self-isolate (this means that siblings of someone that has Covid-19 or who have been a close contact, can attend school as normal (unless otherwise advised by Track and Trace).
• Absence will be authorised for pupils instructed to self-isolate, evidence of this instruction may be required.

Asymptomatic testing

• All adults who are working in school are provided with home Lateral Flow Kits and are encouraged to take these twice a week.
• Children under the age of 11 years old are not advised to take Lateral Flow Tests.

Confirmatory PCR tests

• Any members of the school community (children or adults) should be tested if they have symptoms. This must be a PCR test and not a LF test. Information on how to get a test is available on the NHS website Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus

• If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school, as long as the individual doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

• If the PCR test is positive:
  • They will be able to return to school once it is safe for them to do so, in accordance with Government guidance.
  • The school will contact the appropriate authority and follow Public Health Advice.                                                 

What will happen if the number of Covid-19 cases increases or there is an outbreak in the local community?

In the case of a local outbreak, the school will work with health protection teams and may temporarily reintroduce further control measures. Our Outbreak Management Plan that will detail the additional action we may need to take.