Coronavirus- updated advice 24th March.

Please click here for a letter to parents and students or click here for a symbolised version of the letter.

FSM entitlement The drop off has been set up by the council. To confirm the meals go directly to their address and that is correct. Should parents not receive their child’s FSM after 2pm they should contact 01952 383858.

Coronavirus- updated advice 23th March.

Please click here for some useful resources from NHS England.

Coronavirus- updated advice 20th March.

Please click here for important information about the latest guidance from the government.

Coronavirus- updated advice 18th March.

Dear Parents / Carers,

I know that with the announcement from the Education secretary this evening, you may have many questions.  However, our staffing shortage still remains the same and therefore the partial closure must still stand.  Once I have further clarification, I will contact you through the usual methods.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and consideration at this time

Abi Martin

Coronavirus- updated advice 17th March.

To all our parents and carers 

The three maintained special schools – Southall, Haughton and the Bridge have sought clarification from the DFE Coronavirus Help Line about vulnerable people.

The DFE Help Line Adviser said:

• the Government/DFE advice is that schools remain open at this point.
• If any members of our pupils household have a continuous cough OR a high temperature, the whole family must self isolate. To be clear when anyone in the house has symptoms ALL of the household must follow the isolation guidelines- this includes staying in the house, getting others to deliver food if necessary and not having any contact. This should be sustained even when symptoms have ceased.  The isolation period would only cease after 14 days when symptoms have then passed for all members of the household.

We asked about people who were vulnerable. This includes all those who have a learning disability. The adviser stated that whilst the DFE advice is for children to attend school that the NHS advice is they suggest that vulnerable people avoid social contact. The DFE advisor says that that if parents feel their children are vulnerable and want to follow the NHS suggestion that they can choose not to send their child to school. If any parent believes this is the safest option, we will authorise the absence. The definition of vulnerable is

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

The three schools have sent a significant number of pupils home with Coronavirus symptoms of high temperatures or a continuous cough to be isolated with all the members of their household for a minimum of 14 days. Other pupils have been isolated due to family members having symptoms. No pupils to our knowledge have been tested in line with the government policy. We also have staff who have stayed at home with symptoms and or have family members that have symptoms and are now isolated.

We appreciate this is a difficult decision but wanted to share the information we have been given by the DFE Help Line.

Please also see the letter we sent out dated 17/3/20.

Coronavirus- updated advice 17th March.

We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

This group includes those who are:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
  • chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • chronic kidney disease
  • chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
  • diabetes
  • problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
  • a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
  • being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
• those who are pregnant

Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

• people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
• people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
• people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
• people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

What is social distancing?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible
3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
4. Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic.

For those who are over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant, we strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can, and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

Coronavirus- updated advice 16th March.

In light of the recent government guidelines can you please take into consideration the following:

1. If anyone in your household is displaying either a new persistent cough or high temperature your child must stay home for 14 days
2. If you believe that your child is classed as medically high risk or vulnerable please consider the new government guidelines with regards to social contact

Coronavirus- updated advice 13th March.

The Government has stated that all people including pupils should isolate for 7 days if they have a high temperature or a continuous cough. All parents/carers please see the official government sites for more information. Pupils, staff and visitors should not attend school for the stated period if they have these symptoms and follow the guidance given by the government sites.