Dear Parents/Carers,
Following the government’s latest announcement regarding a new COVID variant, we have been working closely with the Leigh Academies Trust Executive and have reviewed our safety procedures.
From Tuesday 30th November 2021, a face covering/mask will be compulsory outside of classrooms in all corridors and internal communal areas. Students are expected to bring a face covering/mask with them to the academy each day and wear it when moving between classes in corridors and at break and lunch times, including the Restaurant and Street Kitchen, within the building. Face coverings/masks are not compulsory in the classroom, although students may decide to wear one in lessons; as long as they are not having a negative impact on their learning.
Staff and visitors must wear face coverings/masks when moving around the building, unless exempt. Staff will also be able to wear a face visor/mask in the classroom, when teaching if they wish.
I would ask therefore that parents/carers provide their children with at least one face covering/mask to wear in the academy each day. If it is a fabric face covering/mask it should be clean each day. If it is a disposable face covering/mask then it should be a new one each day. The face covering/mask should be plain, without any logos or images so as not to attract attention, cause offence or distract students from the core business of learning.
If you feel that your child is exempt from wearing a face covering/mask due to a medical need, or you would like help to provide your child with the required face covering/mask and plastic bag, then please contact your child’s small school office.
Parents/Carers are asked to remind their children that a face covering/mask is compulsory when travelling on public transport or entering shops.
Testing
We continue to encourage everyone, staff and students alike, to carry out the twice-weekly home testing, using the lateral flow device (LFD) tests and to continue to share any positive results.
Contact Tracing and Isolation
The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains in place (this being carried out by NHS Track and Trace alone) that close contacts should take PCR tests and do not need to isolate unless they are over 18 and unvaccinated. The temporary change to this measure exception is for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases, who will be asked to isolate for 10 days. Again, this will be communicated to individuals from NHS Track and Trace directly.
Vaccination
All eligible staff and students aged 12 and over are encouraged by the government to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters. Vaccines help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on. We have facilitated two onsite vaccination centres this academic year and will continue to work closely with the NHS and DfE throughout the year. If your child is eligible, has not had a vaccination and you wish for them to now have one, then you can book one by visiting nhs.co.uk: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
Good Hygiene
All staff and students should continue to follow the basic rules of good hygiene. This will help to protect individuals and others from COVID-19. These are:
- washing your hands;
- cleaning your surroundings;
- covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze.
More information on the guidance for educational and childcare settings is available on gov.uk: Guidance for schools: coronavirus (COVID-19). We continue to have sanitisers in every classroom and at communal reception desks and we continue to encourage everyone to use these regularly.
Thank you for your support with this latest information. Our priority is to continue to review and implement measures to keep all staff and students on site as safe as possible.
Yours faithfully,
John Dixon
Principal