UPDATE! Coronavirus

Dear Parents,

As you may well have seen, on 16 March 2020 the Government announced further steps in its plan to tackle the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 and updated their advice for this ‘Delay Phase’.

The new features of this phase are:

• People with a new and persistent cough and / or a high temperature should self-isolate for 14 days, along with all members of their family/household. Note: This is a change from earlier advice.
• People without symptoms of the virus are nevertheless asked to practice ‘social distancing’ through a range of means, such as working from home if possible, avoiding non-essential travel, not going to pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues. This applies especially to people who are over 70, or are pregnant or have some health conditions.
• People with queries should search NHS online and should not call 111.

Previously announced measures are:

• School trips abroad are banned with effect from Friday 13 March.
• Only people admitted to hospital will be tested for the virus.
• Older people with pre-existing conditions should not go on cruises.

You will find the government advice in full at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

It is summarised in this table:

At this time, the Government has said that no schools need to close, and that we should all follow the advice from Public Health England.

In line with that advice, please ensure that your child stays at home for 14 days if they show any signs of a persistent cough or a high temperature; all other family / household members should also stay at home if one family member shows the symptoms.

As testing will now only be done upon hospital admission, we are unable to confirm numbers of cases. This is because not everybody who gets symptoms of the virus and self-isolates will go on to be tested.

We will be able to update you on any confirmed cases we are informed of (see below).

Precautions

To reiterate, the amended advice is now:

• Self-isolate immediately for 14 days with your family / household members if you show the symptoms outlined above.
• Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds (we are including this in daily advice to pupils at school)
• Avoid touching your face and hands where possible;
• Catch sneezes and coughs in a tissue, and then discard it immediately;

Current school position

At present, the school has no confirmed cases within our school community. All the necessary precautions are being taken i.e. more frequent handwashing, additional cleaning taking place during the school day for communal areas.

Cancelled events

Many events that had been planned have been cancelled.  We are also taking the view that we should cancel particular school events as part of the delay response. 

As such the following events have been cancelled:

• Year 2 – Florence Nightingale
• Year 5 – Kings College performance
• Class assemblies
• Study Support
• Easter revision – will continue if the school remains open.  We will update you accordingly.
• SHINE Saturday Club

Please be assured the school is liaising closely with Merton Council, the NHS and Public Health England, and will update you as necessary. For further health advice, visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus