The latest Government advice for schools has been released today by Public Health England and the DfE; we ask all that access our school to be aware of the facts around avoidance of infection and spreading the virus.
Our focus is on ensuring that our staff, students and parents know the facts – this is about containment of the virus which, for many, will be mild symptoms. We have a particular responsibility to our school community to follow simple procedures to reduce the risk of infection.
Posters have been placed in the reception and our Reception Team are now asking all visitors to use the alcohol-based hand sanitiser on their arrival to the building. We have alcohol-based sanitiser if most classrooms for the use of staff, students and visitors. Our Reception Team and Cover Supervisors will be reminding visitors and cover staff that we have students who are particularly vulnerable to infection and taking positive action in line with Government guidance.
We ask that all staff make themselves aware of the realities of Coronavirus and how to avoid the spread of this virus. Our school nurses are also receiving regular updates and are also happy to advise if you are not sure of anything. Staff are great at getting our students to wash their hands, please make sure that all students are washing hands appropriately and regularly. Social media is not generally a source of reliable information; the Government website is.
The Government’s latest advice has given us clear guidelines to follow if we suspect that a child has Coronavirus; this covers everything from who we should tell, what we should do, etc. We will not close unless our Principal is told to do so by the Health Protection Team. All leaders in school should be mindful of the guidelines set out in the Government advice for schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Don’t be a super-spreader!
There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
•washing your hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport
•covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
•people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting
•pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
•use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
•avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
•avoid close contact with people who are unwell
•clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
•if you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment