Update January 4th 2022

(Posted on 04/01/22)

Covid School update January 4^th, 2022

Happy New Year, I thought it would be timely to provide an update regarding Covid and the school. As things stand, we are open as usual for all year groups on Monday 10^th January as previously planned. You may have gathered that the Welsh Government has provided schools with 2 planning days, these will be Thursday and Friday of this week (we had previously allocated these to the extra bank holiday for the Queens Jubilee and a training day).

You will probably be aware that the Government has mandated face coverings to be worn in school (unless exempt) and for schools to put in further measures. Our measures will include using outside to move between lessons as our main corridor can become very congested. This will also allow our learners to “take a break” from their face covering each lesson. With this in mind can we ask that all pupils bring a waterproof coat in case of rain or snow.

Its clear that the potential for disruption will be if a large proportion of the staff have to self-isolate or become Covid positive. Please keep an eye out for further communications from me during the month in case it becomes necessary to change the operation of the school.

The new guidance states that: - Secondary staff and secondary age learners are advised to undertake LFD testing three times a week at present on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday using LFTs and record their results – this should continue.

Therefore, to help minimise disruption all learners (and staff) should aim to take a Lateral Flow Test this Friday and again on Monday.

Lastly, the rules regarding what you do if you are an identified close contact have changed, they are: -

All over 18s who are fully vaccinated (having received two full doses of an approved vaccine) and children aged 5 to 17 are now asked to take lateral flow tests (LFTs) every day for 7 days if they are identified as a contact of a positive COVID-19 case. This is known as ‘Daily Contact Testing’.

We recommend those undertaking Daily Contact Testing take their test before they arrive at school each day. These individuals do not need to self-isolate for that day unless they have a positive lateral flow test or develop symptoms. In either of these cases, they should book a PCR test as soon as possible.

 

Simon Ellis