What is the school currently doing to reduce the chances of the virus getting into school?
- We are closely monitoring the local and national picture.
- We are liaising closely with Sandwell Local Authority who are liaising with the Department for Education and Public Health England.
- We are teaching the children best hygiene practice and would encourage you to continue to discuss hygiene with your children.
- We have increased the cleaning on key touch points (handles, buttons, rails etc.).
- Every classroom and communal areas are already cleaned daily.
- We continue to use tissues for each class to ensure these can be offered out if a child has a cold, and we are reminding children to sneeze or blow their nose into a tissue and to wash their hands – “catch it, bin it, kill it!”
- We are ensuring that children wash their hands thoroughly before mealtimes and when they have gone to the toilet.
- We are monitoring any child or staff absence and are asking about any symptoms they may have and advising accordingly.
- We are looking at how we can adapt any activities which have an increased potential of the spreading of virus e.g. food tasting, assemblies.
- We are continuing to monitor the risk of any external trips or visits.
What will the school do if there is a confirmed case in school?
- We will immediately contact the local authority and take advice from them, Public Health England and the guidance in place at that time from the World Health Organisation.
- The Head of School will liaise with the Chair of Governors to discuss the advice and decide whether we feel that is sufficient. We will then make a decision as to what needs to happen.
- We will ensure we communicate as promptly as possible and keep parents well informed (the text system will be used to communicate).
How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- 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
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms
Please keep your child at home for 7 days if they have either:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly