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