Dear Parent/carers

IMPORTANT – PCR testing

Following public health advice we have been asked to arrange PCR Testing for all students starting Monday 27^th September.  A PCR test will be taken and sent off to a laboratory for testing.  This is an important measure to identify any positive cases within our community and to reduce the spread of transmission.  Any positive cases will be confirmed via school.

If you DO NOT want your child to have a PCR test please complete this form: Please only compete the form if you DO NOT want your child tested

OPT OUT – IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE A PCR TEST

 

17^th September 2021

Dear Parent/Carers

I am writing today to update you on the current situation in school regarding the rising number of Covid 19 cases in school.

We have been working with Wigan Public Health as we plan a strategy to move forward over the next few weeks.  As a school, we have maintained and implemented a range of measures further than the Government guidance.

In school we have a number of measures in place to reduce risk

• One way systems.
• Direction of stairways
• Ventilation – windows and doors open.
• Regular hand hygiene.
• Enhanced cleaning regime on site.
• Separate year group break and lunch times.

As part of our Outbreak Management Plan 2021 and following recommendations from Wigan Public Health we will be implementing from Monday the 20th September the following temporary additional measures in response to the current outbreak.

Testing in school

• We have been advised to consider onsite testing for identified student groups.
• Further information is to follow as this is yet to be finalised and agreed.
• If you have not consented to testing please click the link and complete the consent form CONSENT FORM

Face Covering

• Face Covering must be worn in communal areas around school and as staff and students move lesson to lesson, lunch, break and as they enter and leave school.
• Visitors / Parents must wear masks when visiting the school.
• Face coverings strategy may be revised for students and staff to wear in classrooms

Other Measures

• The School Open Evening is cancelled and will now be virtual.
• Inter school sporting activities paused until further notice.
• Educational Visits will not happen during this period.
• Parent Attendance to school will be paused until further notice.

We hope that by implementing these additional measures transmission across school is reduced.  I would like to thank you all for your continued support and I will keep you updated over the coming weeks.

 

Yours Sincerely

Mr J Grant

Headteacher

 

Please click here for our School contingency Plan School Outbreak Contingency Plan

Click here to upload the Headteachers update in PDF form Headteachers Update 17th September

Please Click here to view a Parent Letter on behalf of Wigan Council Wigan Council Parent Letter

Dear Parents/carers

Up to one in three people who have COVID-19 can spread the virus without knowing. This is because they have no symptoms. To reduce the spread of the virus, we need to identify those individuals. We can do this in school by carrying out tests at home twice every week, 3-4 days apart.

The Government has recently announced that all secondary and college aged students will be offered tests to make the return to school safer for everyone.  Last week we carried out on site testing in all year groups.

Testing students at home

On Friday we handed out home testing kits to all students.  Students will be able to collect additional home test kits from their Head of Year.

We would like them to take their tests before school on Sunday and Wednesday evening.

You will also need to tell the school the result of each test.  Please register results via www.testregister.co.uk using your primary contact email.  Please contact school via [email protected] if you have any issues.

Tests are free of charge. Students will receive a pack of tests in a box with a leaflet on how to take the test and report the results.  Further information is available on the school website https://www.shevingtonhigh.org.uk/symptoms-and-testing/

Taking the test

Students should take the test, before coming into school, twice a week. We will give students a leaflet with instructions on how to do the test with the kit. There is also a useful video to show you how to take the test.

Help and support is available, including instructions in different languages on how to test and report the results and a video showing you how to take the test. There is no need to keep used test equipment after the test result has been reported. You can put it in your normal bin (household waste).

This does not replace symptomatic testing. If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.

What should you do after the test?

Anyone with a positive test result will need to:

• self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance
• book a further test (a lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test) to confirm the result, whether the test was done at home, school or college

Whilst awaiting the PCR result, the individual should continue to self-isolate.

If the PCR test is taken within the 2 days following the positive LFD result, and is negative, it overrides the self-test LFD test and your child can return to nursery, childminders, school or college, as long as they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months, you will not be required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19. Please refer to Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection for more information.

If the result of the test is unclear (void) you should do another test.

A negative result does not guarantee that you are not carrying the virus. So, you should continue to follow social distancing, and other measures to reduce transmission such as regularly washing your hands and observing social distancing.

If you or anyone in your household gets symptoms of the virus you should follow national guidelines on self-isolation and testing.

You need to report each test result 

The result of each test needs to be reported using the NHS Test & Trace self-report website: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.

You will also need to tell the school the result of each test reporting via www.testregister.co.uk

Why take part

Taking part in testing is voluntary and all students will be able to attend school whether they take part in testing or not.

I am strongly encouraging all students to take part. Testing at home will your child and other students to attend school as safely as possible.

Please contact school, if you have any questions or concerns about home testing.

Thank you for your support.

Mr J Grant

Headteacher

_________________________________________________

Some frequently asked questions 

Do I need to give consent?

Students and parents do not give written consent to take part in the home testing programme. Please read the information below on how personal information and test results are shared and the privacy notice.

Once you open the kit you should take and report the results of the tests to NHS Test & Trace and school, regardless of the result (positive, negative, or void).

Can my child take the test themselves?

Students aged 12-17 should do the test themselves with adult supervision. The adult may help the [pupil/student] to take the test if they need support. 

Students aged 11 must be tested by an adult and the adult must report the result. 

Reporting problems or issues with testing

If there is an issue with the test kit, for example something is missing, please report it by calling 119 and please also tell the school.

If an accident or injury happens whilst using the test kit, please seek medical care by calling 111 (or 999 if it is an emergency). Please also report what happened using this website:  https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

What type of tests will be used?

We will be sending home Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. They are a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus.

The tests are easy to use and give results in 30 minutes.

Further information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-lateral-flow-antigen-testing-for-people-without-symptoms

Are LFD tests accurate?

Lateral Flow Devices identify people who are likely to be infectious. These  individuals tend to spread the virus to many people and so identifying them through this test is important.

These tests have been widely and successfully used to detect COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals and are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The speed and convenience of the tests supports the detection of the virus in asymptomatic individuals, who would not otherwise have got tested.

The tests are highly specific, with low chance of false positives. They are also very sensitive and are able to identify the majority of the most infectious yet asymptomatic individuals. Extensive evaluation has been carried out on the tests and it shows that they are both accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community for screening and surveillance purposes.

It is important to remember that these tests are only an aid to help stop the spread of the virus and you should continue to follow other guidance such as on wearing face coverings and social distancing.

How are LFD tests different to PCR tests?

There are 2 main types of test to check if you have coronavirus:

• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests check for the genetic material (RNA) of the virus in the sample – you send the sample for processing at a lab
• lateral flow device (LFD) tests detect proteins called ‘antigens’ produced by the virus

LFD tests give rapid results, in 30 minutes after taking the test.

What does it mean if my child has a positive result?

Anyone with a positive test result will need to:

• self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance
• book a further test (a lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test) to confirm the result, whether the test was done at home, school or college

Whilst awaiting the PCR result, the individual should continue to self-isolate.

If the PCR test is taken within the 2 days following the positive LFD result, and is negative, it overrides the self-test LFD test and your child can return to nursery, childminders, school or college, as long as they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months, you will not be required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19. Please refer to Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection for more information.

What does it mean if my child has a negative result?

A negative result does not guarantee that your child is not carrying the virus. So, you should continue to follow measures to reduce transmission such as regularly washing your hands.

What if my child has a void result? 

If the result of the test is unclear (void), they should take another one. If the next test is also void, your child should take a PCR test. You can book a test here. 

All test results need to be reported to both NHS Test & Trace and school.

Do I need to send the test to a lab?

No. The LFDs supplied do not need to be sent to a laboratory to get a result and can give a quick result in around 30 minutes. Guidance on self-testing is contained in the ‘Instructions for Use’ leaflet, which comes with the test kit. There is also a useful video to show you how to take the test here.

How do you report the result?

You can report the result of the test (whether it is positive, negative or void) using this service. You also need to tell the school the test result. You will receive a text or email from NHS Test & Trace confirming that you have reported your test result.

All test results need to be reported to both NHS Test & Trace and school.

Can I or someone else in my household use a test kit sent home from school?

No, however your household members can test themselves twice every week from home. This testing can be accessed through the following channels:

• get a rapid test at work, through workplace testing. Ask your employer for more information
• attend a test site to get tested where you will be able to see how to take the test or pick up tests to do at home (you can find your nearest test site via the postcode checker gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-siteor check your local council website)
• collect tests to do at home. Find your nearest collection site COVID Test Finder (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)

If these options are not possible, there will be a supply of rapid tests for order online for people who need them the most. More information can be found on www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

How will personal information and test results be shared?

When your child takes a Lateral Flow test, you need to report the result. This is so that their test result can be traced, which means that you need to share some information about your child.

You need to tell NHS Test & Trace:

• your child’s name
• your child’s test result
• the reference number on the test Kit

You will also need to tell your child’s school or college their test result.

Under UK law, your child’s school or college can collect and store test result data because it is in the ‘public interest’. This means that your child’s data helps us to stop the spread of the virus, and to keep your children in school. For example, we will tell your child to self-isolate if they get a positive test result.

Schools and colleges will only share information with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) if the test kits used are found to be faulty. If this happens, DHSC will use our information to contact people who used the faulty tests, so that they can be tested again. This will ensure that testing is accurate and helps keep us all safe.

When you report test results online, you are sharing information with DHSC. They may share the information with your GP, local government, NHS, and Public Health England. This is so that they can offer your family health services and guidance if your child needs to self-isolate. They might also use your child’s data anonymously (without their name or contact information) to research COVID-19, and improve our understanding of the virus. For more information on how personal data is used for testing please see the detailed privacy notice.

 

Dear Parent / Carer,

We are really looking forward to the students returning to school this week.  We shared last term the detailed plan for return and testing this week.

In preparation for the new term ahead, I would like to share some important information regarding COVID-19 testing and details for your child’s return to Shevington High School this September.

Return to School Dates

• Tuesday 7th September Year 7 & Year 8
• Wednesday 8th September Year 9,10 & 11

Staggered Start and Testing Plan 

Date	Year Group
Tuesday 7th September           First Test	Year 7 & 8 Lesson 1 & 2  Induction Process ●     Tour School – Key Areas ●     Chromebook/device ●     New Routines   Normal Lessons after lesson 2 – Teachers collect and take to the lessons.   Opportunity for mid year admissions to tour school with HOY
Wednesday 8th September     First Test	Year 11, 10 & 9 Induction in forms till 9.30 Normal Lessons from lesson 1
Thursday 9th September   Second Tests	Year 7 & 8
Friday 10th September   Second Test	Year 11, 10 & 9

 

Covid Information

 

If your son/ daughter has tested positive for COVID 19 in the last 90 days they are not to be tested until after the 90^th day in accordance with Government guidance that stipulates it is possible for LFD/ PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

Government Information regarding COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolation, testing and contact tracing for students

Recent changes that have come into effect from the 16^th August 2021

1. Individuals should stay home for the following COVID related reasons only:

If they are symptomatic

• If they have tested positive with a PCR or LFD
• (they may return if a positive LFD result is followed by a subsequent confirmatory negative PCR within 2 days)

2. The NHS Test and Trace has assumed contact tracing duties for education settings from step 4 of the Government’s COVID-19 road map in England.

• NHS Test & Trace already manage the contact tracing process for the rest of society and has expertise in supporting people to identify close contacts.
• Shevington High School, like all other education settings will no longer be contacting parents regarding positive cases or for contact tracing purposes.
• Individual positive cases for students and/or their parents or legal guardians will instead be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and their close contacts will be traced and asked to follow relevant public health advice.

3. What is the legal basis for settings to send students home to self-isolate?

• The DFE are no longer asking education settings to keep children and young people in consistent groups (‘bubbles’) or to reduce mixing between groups.
• As with other diseases, the law allows an educational setting, in principle, to send particular students or groups of student’s home on a temporary basis if, in the setting’s reasonable judgement, this is a necessary measure to protect other students and staff from serious infectious disease. This decision following guidance from Public Health.

4. What does a close contact have to do?

• From 16 August, fully vaccinated adults and those under-18 and 6 months identified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact are strongly advised to take a PCR test.
• There is no requirement to self-isolate whilst awaiting that PCR test result and so individuals can continue to attend their education or childcare setting.
• If an individual is symptomatic they should stay at home.
• Children and young people aged under 18 years 6 months who usually attend an education setting and who have been identified as a close contact should continue to attend the setting as normal.
• They do not need to wear a face covering within the setting, but it is expected and recommended that these are worn when travelling on public or dedicated transport.
• You should not however arrange to have a PCR test if you have previously received a positive PCR test result in the last 90 days unless you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19. This is because it is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

 

Existing control measures

 

We are following the latest government guidance on health and safety control measures relating to COVID-19, these are as follows;

• Students should continue to wear face coverings on buses travelling to and from school.
• There is no requirement for students to wear a facemask in school but they may do so if they wish.
• School will maintain adequate ventilation in all used areas.
• Students are to follow the one way systems around school at all times.
• Students will have separate year break times and lunchtime.
• We are encouraging all students and staff to maintain a high level of respiratory and hand hygiene.
• Students should continue to bring their own hand sanitiser to use around school and use regularly. Hand sanitiser is available on entry to all buildings. Students will be encouraged to sanitise their hands before entering buildings.
• Where possible students should try to maintain social distancing.

 

PE Lessons

 

• For the first half term students will be able to attend school in the School PE kit on the day they have PE. This will be reviewed at Half Term.

I am really looking forward to welcoming all our students back to school this year.  Our staff as always are ready to do all that they can to provide your child with the support and personalised learning opportunities to ensure they achieve their full potential.

I would like to thank you for the continued support you have given over these turbulent times.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mr J Grant

Headteacher

 

Click here to upload letter Headteachers Update 6th September – School return

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School transport considerations ahead of the new term

September is nearly upon us and with it comes an opportunity to try new things – including different ways to travel to and from school.

New cycling and walking routes have been popping up across Greater Manchester, making it safer and easier than ever to get about on foot or by bike – why not consider walking or cycling to us in September? This can be a great, healthy way to start your day – particularly for shorter trips!

Public transport is safe for those who want to use it, with transport operators implementing enhanced cleaning regimes on board services and hand sanitiser dispensers still installed at stations and interchanges. If you plan to travel by public transport, please be sure to check routes and timetables before you set off.

You should be aware that duplicate bus services – which provided additional capacity on the bus network during lockdown – will not be in operation for this academic year. Meanwhile, TfGM’s Yellow School Buses will continue to run without a pass system as they have done for the past year.

You can continue play your part in keeping yourself and others safe when using public transport or taxis and private hire vehicles, by following safe travel guidance. This includes:

• Wearing a face covering – they are still required on Metrolink services and inside stations and interchanges, unless you’re under 11 or are exempt for another reason. The use of face coverings is also expected on bus, rail and taxi services
• Keeping windows open to maintain fresh air flow and ventilation
• Cleaning your hands frequently by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser
• Using contactless payment if possible
• Being kind and consider fellow passengers when travelling

If you do need to drive, please switch off your engine when waiting outside to reduce air pollution and, if possible, try parking further away and walking the last part of the journey.

However you chose to travel, it’s important to plan ahead and check the latest travel advice. Support and information about this can be found on TfGM’s Schools Hub

Student Covid Testing On Return to School September 2021

The Government has asked school to test all students for Covid using a Lateral Flow Device test when schools return in September 2021.

In order to have a test we need to have parental consent.  Please provide consent as soon as possible completing this form this overrides any previous consent:

CONSENT FORM

Further guidance on the testing process is available here:

https://www.shevingtonhigh.org.uk/asymptomatic-testing-in-september/

The schedule for testing is below:

 

Tuesday 7th September	Year 7 & 8 – Test 1
Wednesday 8th September	Year 11, 10 & 9 – Test 1
Thursday 9th September	Year 7 & 8 – Test 2
Friday 10th September	Year 11, 10 & 9 – Test 2