Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year! I hope that you have enjoyed the festive break and are now settling back into the routines of 2022. It has been a positive week at school. Throughout it, I have been struck by the students' maturity as they have responding to, once again, wearing face coverings in lessons. When I have visited classrooms, the students have been engaged in their learning, working hard and starting 2022 with the right attitude.

In the school we use The Minster Way as a set of principles that underpin how we should behave and act. Next week we will be particularly focusing upon presenting ourselves and our work neatly. This will mean ensuring that students are following our uniform expectations when in school and producing work in their books to the best of their ability. It would be supportive to know that you are reminding your child of these expectations for school.

COVID Update

Thank you so much for supporting onsite Covid-19 testing this week. I know for many students and their families attending on the INSET day  can be disruptive, but this did mean that we were able to start school term effectively on Wednesday. Over the next few weeks, it is likely that we will be impacted by staff absence due to the virus. All schools have been asked to prepare for this, and I want to assure you that we will do everything we can to keep school open for all children. As a last resort we would use remote learning, but we would explore every avenue before doing this. What would help would be if you could ensure that your child has a reading book in their bag for use if the situation arises.

Lateral Flow Testing

We continue to recommend twice weekly lateral flow testing for all students and staff. The type of testing pack that you will receive will depend upon the type that we receive in deliveries to school. Please do check the instructions to see whether the test requires throat and nasal swabs or just nasal swabs. The packs that were issued today do require both. 

Changes to Covid Processes

Having spoken to the Department for Education for clarity, we would like to update you on the latest Government guidance regarding COVID-19. 

Self Isolation

If a student tests positive they must isolate immediately for 10 days. However from Monday 17^th, if they take LFDs (Lateral Flow devices) on day 5 and day 6 (24 hours apart) and both tests are negative then they may return to school. If either of these are positive they should remain at home until they have 2 successive days with negative tests or the 10 days are over. See diagram below.

Close contacts

If you are classed as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 then you are “strongly advised to take daily Lateral Flow Devices for 7 days”. 

COVID symptoms

If you show COVID symptoms (High temperature, new continuous cough, loss or change to taste and/or smell) then you must book a PCR test and isolate until you receive the results. If they are negative you may return to school unless you still have a high temperature. 

Positive Lateral Flow Tests

From 11th January, if you receive a positive Lateral Flow Device result you are not required to take a confirmatory PCR test. This will class as a positive result, and you should isolate immediately. ‘This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high in the UK’. 

All Lateral Flow results should be reported at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

 

Many thanks for your support and understanding. 

 

Mr Chaloner - Head Teacher