COVID-19 Updates ( Published: 22/09/2020)

COVID – Updated Guidance

Given the prevalence and transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, the government have issued new guidance for schools and colleges. The government are strongly advising that students wear face coverings in all communal indoor areas, including classrooms and in examinations/assessments unless medically exempt. I’d like to thank students for their adherence to this; the overwhelming majority of students are arriving to school with face coverings and are wearing these around school to protect themselves and others.

There has been a change in the rules relating to the need for a follow-up PCR test where there has been a positive Lateral Flow result. From today, if you are participating with regular Lateral Flow testing (and we strongly encourage this), and have no symptoms but have a positive LFD result, you no longer need to get a confirmatory PCR test. The LFD result should be considered as your result, and you should begin your period of self-isolation. Whatever your LFD result, you should report this through the government system (and absolutely do so if positive) so that the government can gauge the spread of the virus. You should still get a PCR if you have symptoms.

The self-isolation period following a positive test result (either LFD or PCR) has reduced from 10 days to 7 days, as long as you have no symptoms and as long as you test negative on Lateral Flow tests on day 6 and 7 of your isolation period. If you have no symptoms and are testing negative, you are able to end your self-isolation immediately after the negative Day 7 test and return to your normal activities.

Thank you for everything that you are doing to keep are school and wider community safe.

We have reorganised the academy, including restructuring the timetable and the academy day, to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff. Please see our Academy Day for the current structure.

The Government has issued some guidance for parents and carers about the way schools, colleges and early years providers are now operating – it can be found here.

The Importance of COVID-19 Self-testing and Reporting in Schools

How to test yourself at home for COVID-19

Testing continues to play a crucial role, in and out of classrooms. Please follow the link for more information from the Department for Education.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Students and adults aged 16 and over
You do not need to wait to be contacted by your GP, you can book a vaccination appointment directly. If you live in the UK, vaccinations are free. The vaccination is given as 2 doses – you will have the 2nd dose between 3 and 12 weeks after having the 1st dose. Further information can be found by following this link.

Children and young people aged 12 to 15
This autumn all young people aged 12 to 15 years will be offered the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. This will be organised by the NHS in line with all vaccinations of children and young people in the UK. Parental, guardian or carer consent will be sought by vaccination healthcare staff prior to vaccination. No dates have been set, but further information can be found below:

COVID-19 vaccination – a guide for children and young people

COVID-19 vaccination – guidance for parents

Guidance for Parents/Carers

• Information and guidance about the Covid-19 self-test kits that your child will bring home is also available here:
  Your step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing

  This is also available in 11 additional languages by following this link:
  COVID-19 self-test help – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)