Dear Parents/Carers

We have been advised this morning that there has been a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 with a Year 9 student at the school. Therefore, from today, all Year 9 students must stay at home until Monday 12th October 2020. They will need to self-isolate during this time and should not be mixing with people outside of their household or out in any social gatherings. This is to help prevent community transmission. If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to school and their usual activities. Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period. If we believe your child has been in very close contact, we will contact you separately and carry out a risk assessment.

Students should follow their normal timetable during this period of isolation. All work will be set via Satchel One and students should log on as usual. Additional resources should students require them are also available on The National Oak Academy webiste via https://www.thenational.academy/

For students who receive Free School Meals, we are currently in the process of organising provision and will provide information shortly. Families will be contacted directly.

In accordance with national guidance, the school remains open for all other year groups and your child should continue to attend if they remain well and are not displaying any symptoms. Siblings of students in Year 9 should also continue to attend school as normal, unless they are displaying any symptoms.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. All other household members who remain well, must self-isolate, stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This also includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’. If the test is positive, the self-isolation remains in place. If the test is negative, students can return to school and the household no longer needs to self isolate. Please notify school accordingly.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

• wear a face mask as directed both in the community and at school
• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds every time;
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available;
• wash your hands as soon as you get home;
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze;
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.

We will keep you updated of developments and issue further information as necessary. Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely
Martyn Palfreyman
Headteacher