Coronavirus Information

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Changes to measures and guidance for managing COVID-19 in education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April

Last updated - 10:00 Friday 1st April

On Tuesday 29 March, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, set out the next steps for living with COVID-19 in England from Friday 1 April.

The main points from the updated guidance advises that:

• adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature
• children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend
• adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days
• regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, including in SEND, alternative provision and children’s social care settings. Therefore, settings will no longer be able to order test kits
• the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will publish new guidance. Most of the specific COVID-19 guidance for education and childcare settings will be withdrawn from GOV.​UK on Friday 1 April. The operational guidance on the testing in education settings document sharing platform will also be removed on the same day

Free COVID-19 tests will continue to be available for specific groups, including eligible patients and NHS staff, once the universal testing offer ends on Friday 1 April.

COVID Mitigations - Spring Term 2022 Update - Week 4

Last updated - 10:00 Monday 28th February

Based on the recent government announcements regarding the legislation in place to mitigate covid infections. The need to wear masks in close circulation spaces in schools, including lessons, has ended but anyone who wishes to continue to wear them may do so and we will support this decision. To help create the best possible environment to limit infections, for covid or other viruses, staff should continue to ventilate rooms appropriately. Anyone one tests positive for covid should have an appropriate period away from school, the chief medical officer suggested 5 days, and return when they feel better/have a negative test result.

COVID Mitigations - Spring Term 2022 Update - Week 3

Last updated - 15:00 Monday 24th January

Face Masks – as you are aware the requirement to wear face masks in classrooms was removed on Thursday 20 January. From Thursday 27 January the requirement to wear face masks in communal areas in school will also end. Interestingly the overwhelming majority of Y13 students taking their mock examinations, Y12 students working in their supervised study room and other middle & lower school students in classrooms that I saw on the Thursday and Friday continued to wear their masks.

Our recommendation, following the above announcements, was going to be to continue to wear masks when inside for prolonged periods of time but it appears the students took the decision for themselves. This recommendation was based on the reintroduction of masks as part of the programme of mitigation measures in September, due to the spike in Covid cases we experienced, and the effect it had on reducing the number of infections.

We feel a more measured and considered approach to phasing out the use of masks is appropriate to keep both students and staff at school so face to face learning can continue with minimal disruption. We will continue to recommend and support the wearing of masks as we monitor infection levels over the coming weeks. There are currently 35 students and 5 staff isolating due to positive tests over the last week.

We have reviewed the other mitigations in place and the majority of these have been retained to keep the school environment as safe as possible to allow face to face teaching to continue.

On this basis the following mitigations will continue as before:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test they should not come to school, a follow up PCR Test is not required if they are symptom-free. Their required period of isolation is outlined on the diagram posted as the week 1a update on Thursday 20 January. If they have symptoms they should have a PCR Test.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team will continue against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• School trips and visits – will continue for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place where possible
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will be required to wear face masks in classrooms, the dining room (when queuing & being served), IT rooms, library, sixth form study rooms, sixth form common & games rooms, and all corridors – to simplify this if you are inside you need to wear a mask! Please ensure your son or daughter brings a mask, and a spare, with them when attending school. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Ventilation of Rooms – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish. (The CO2 monitors now help to support this process)
• Additional Cleaning Measures – frequent cleaning of high-level touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Spring Term 2022 Update - Week 1a

Last updated - 11:00 Thursday 20th January

COVID Mitigations - Spring Term 2022 Update - Week 1

Last updated - 14:15 Sunday 9th January

Since the last update at the end of the Autumn Term there have been a number of changes to the testing and self-isolation requirements. These changes are outlined below:

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that from Tuesday, 11 January, people who receive a positive lateral flow test result and are “symptom-free” will no longer be required to take a follow up PCR test to begin their isolation period. Under the new guidance, people who test positive on lateral flow tests will need to isolate for at least seven days, and will need to register their positive lateral flow test results, but will no longer need to take a PCR test.

Self-isolation can now end after seven days, following two negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart. The first lateral flow test should not be taken before the sixth day as illustrated in the diagram below. This guidance also applies to children and young people who usually attend an education or childcare setting.

The pause in lateral flow testing for 90 days after an infection has now ended. This allows the isolation, following an infection, to end after 7 days but also means all students can return to twice weekly testing. On this basis all students eligible to take a lateral flow test should do so on their designated return to school day in the first term.

We have reviewed the other mitigations in place and the majority of these have been retained to keep the school environment as safe as possible to allow face to face teaching to continue. This review process will continue on a weekly basis over the Spring Term, as the effects of the Omicron variant become apparent during the coming weeks.

On this basis the following mitigations will continue as before:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • · If they have a positive test they should not come to school, a follow up PCR Test is not required if they are symptom-free. If they have symptoms they should have a PCR Test.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team will continue against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• School trips and visits – will continue for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place where possible
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will be required to wear face masks in classrooms, the dining room (when queuing & being served), IT rooms, library, sixth form study rooms, sixth form common & games rooms, and all corridors – to simplify this if you are inside you need to wear a mask! Please ensure your son or daughter brings a mask, and a spare, with them when attending school. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Ventilation of Rooms – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish. (The CO2 monitors now help to support this process)
• Additional Cleaning Measures – frequent cleaning of high-level touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Final Update

Last updated - 11:00 Friday 17th December

Covid cases in school have been in single figures over each of the last four weeks of this term. The effects of the vaccinations the students have received and mitigations put in place in school to help limit the spread of the virus have helped to reduced infection levels.

The CO2 alarms received by the school have been installed in classrooms and these indicate when additional ventilation is required, which helps members of staff maintain a safe environment during lesson time.

To help clarify the exemption from the Lateral Flow Tests at the start of the Spring Term, in the testing arrangements letter issued earlier this week, the guidance is as follows: If someone has tested positive with a PCR test, they should not be tested using either PCR or rapid lateral flow tests for 90 days, unless they develop new symptoms during this time – in which case they should be retested immediately using a PCR test.

We have continued to review the mitigations in place on a weekly basis, and the majority of these have been retained as they have kept the school environment safe with relatively low levels of infection. This review process will continue over the Christmas break. We plan, at this point, to keep all the mitigations in place at the start of the Spring Term, as we wait to see the effects of the new Omicron variant over the coming weeks.

On this basis the following mitigations will continue as before:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test they should not come to school, as the Lateral Flow Test results are accurate for those with a high viral load, and have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school unless they continue to produce positive Lateral Flow Tests, this is due to the concern over the processing of some of the PCR tests reported during the last week.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team and block fixtures will continue against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• School trips and visits – will continue for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place where possible.
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in classrooms, the dining room (when queuing & being served), IT rooms, library, sixth form study rooms, sixth form common & games rooms, and all corridors – to simplify this if you are inside you need to wear a mask! Please ensure your son or daughter brings a mask, and a spare, with them when attending school. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Ventilation of Rooms – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish. (The CO2 alarms now help to support this process)
• Additional Cleaning Measures – frequent cleaning of high-level touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 8a

Last updated - 18:00 Monday 29th November

The following information was received from the DfE yesterday afternoon – Sunday 28 November:

Face Coverings

Face coverings should be worn in communal areas in all settings by staff, visitors and pupils or students in Year 7 and above, unless they are exempt.

Pupils or students (in Year 7 or above) should continue to wear face coverings on public and dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt.

On this basis masks will need to be worn in classrooms, the dining room (when queuing & being served), IT rooms, library, Sixth Form study rooms, Sixth Form common & games rooms and all corridors from Tuesday 30 November – to simplify this, if you are inside you need to wear a mask! Please ensure your son or daughter brings a mask, and a spare, with them when attending school.

The situation will be kept under review at the national level and updates provided. The review planned for the measures being introduced nationally from tomorrow is due in three weeks. On this basis we can expect these measures, to keep the school as free from Covid as possible and remain open, to be in place until the end of term.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 8

Last updated - 12:00 Monday 22nd November

Covid cases in school have continued to remain at low levels during the second half of this term as the mitigations in place help limit the spread of the virus. Those eligible for the first dose of the vaccine received this last Friday, November 19, and their immunity will increase over the next few weeks. The mitigations will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis but as things stand the majority of these will remain in place as we wait for the immunity in the school population to increase and case numbers to decrease.

On this basis the following mitigations will continue as before:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test they should not come to school, as the Lateral Flow Test results are accurate for those with a high viral load, and have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school unless they continue to produce positive Lateral Flow Tests, this is due to the concern over the processing of some of the PCR tests reported during the last week.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team fixtures will continue against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• School trips and visits – will continue for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 7

Last updated - 12:00 Tuesday 9th November

Covid cases in school have remained at low levels during the first week of term, with new cases in single figures, as the mitigations in place continue to limit the spread of the virus. The mitigations will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis but as things stand the majority of these will remain in place for at least the next few weeks. We have also been informed of the rescheduled date for the Covid vaccinations and these are now due to take place on Friday 19 November.
On this basis the following mitigations have been updated from last term:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test they should not come to school, as the Lateral Flow Test results are accurate for those with a high viral load, and have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school unless they continue to produce positive Lateral Flow Tests, this is due to the concern over the processing of some of the PCR tests reported during the last week.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

The following mitigations will continue as before:-

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team fixtures will continue against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• School trips and visits – will start to resume for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 5a

Last updated - 09:00 Thursday 14th October

Please see the latest advice from NHS England re symptoms for the COVID Delta Variant

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 6

Last updated - 09:30 Monday 18th October

The Covid cases have stabilised during the last week with new cases in single figures, as the mitigations put in place continue to help to reduce infection levels. We have still not received news about the rescheduled date for the Covid vaccinations but will inform you as soon as we have any further information. The mitigations will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis but, with the half term break approaching and the opportunity for wider mixing to occur, the current mitigations are likely to remain in place for at least the first two weeks when school resumes.

On this basis the following mitigations have been updated from last week:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test, they should then have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school unless they continue to produce positive Lateral Flow Tests, this is due to the concern over the processing of some of the PCR tests reported during the last week.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

• School trips and visits – will start to resume for limited groups of students with appropriate risk assessments and mitigations in place.

The following mitigations will continue as before:-

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team fixtures will continue this week against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 5a

Last updated - 09:00 Thursday 14th October

Please see the latest advice from NHS England re symptoms for the COVID Delta Variant

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 5

Last updated - 15:30 Monday 11th October

The number of Covid cases has continued to drop during the last week, as the mitigations put in place help to reduce infection levels, and we now have very few cases in school. The Covid vaccinations planned for last week unfortunately did not take place and we have not yet been provided with an alternative date. We will continue to review the mitigations on a weekly basis but the delay in these vaccinations will mean we need to retain a number of them for longer than we had hoped.

On this basis the following mitigations have been updated from last week:

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team fixtures will continue this week against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches. The block fixture against Whitgift on Saturday 16 October is currently scheduled to take place.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for the whole school will remain online. The section assemblies for the Sixth Form, Middle School and Lower School will resume with appropriate mitigations in place. Chapel Services will continue for individual year groups as previously outlined.

The following mitigations will continue as before:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test, they should then have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.
• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 4

Last updated - 10:15 Monday 4th October

The number of Covid cases has dropped significantly during the last week, as the mitigations put in place take effect. The vaccinations this week will provide increased protection for students and allow us to review the mitigations in place from a stronger position as we approach half term.

On this basis the following mitigations have been updated from last week:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test, they should then have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

Students who have already tested positive do not need to test at home or take a PCR tests for 90 days from their test result.

• Sporting Fixtures – individual team fixtures will resume this week against other schools. Risk assessments, following the school’s and relevant national sporting associations’ guidelines, will be in place for these matches. The block fixtures should hopefully resume from Saturday 16 October.
• ZOE Website – currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. The current variants have a broad range of symptoms, which are detailed on this site.

The following Mitigations will continue as before:

• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Covid & Flu Vaccinations – we have been informed that the these are scheduled to take place in school, for eligible students, on Wednesday 6 October; as for previous vaccinations parental consent will be sought through the normal route.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for multiple year groups have been paused. The individual year group assemblies and Chapel Services will continue as previously outlined.
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails will continue.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 3

Last updated - 09:00 Monday 27th September

The increase in Covid cases has slowed during the last week and we hope to see a reduction in the coming week as the additional mitigations that have been put in place take effect.

On this basis the following mitigations and information have been updated during the last week:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test, they should then have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

Lateral Flow tests can be done on a daily basis, even if your son or daughter has no symptoms, as the increased frequency of testing will help to identify cases more quickly.

If any student has been in contact with a positive case or develops symptoms they should book a PCR test.

• Additional Cleaning Measures – cleaning of high frequency touch points, door handles, handrails etc. has been increase during the last full week.
• Sporting Fixtures – fixtures this week against other schools will be cancelled or rearranged, including the rugby on Saturday 2 October.
• ZOE Website – We have written to you previously about this website for reporting Covid symptoms at https://covid.joinzoe.com. The website currently has detailed information regarding the differences in symptoms for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated at https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/do-i-have-covid-or-a-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference. This is useful as the current variants have a broad range of symptoms.

The following mitigations will continue as before:

• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• Covid & Flu Vaccinations – we have been informed that the these are scheduled to take place in school, for eligible students, on Wednesday 6 October; as for previous vaccinations parental consent will be sought through the normal route.
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for multiple year groups have been paused. The individual year group assemblies and Chapel Services will continue as previously outlined.
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 2a

Last updated - 11:00 Wednesday 22nd September

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update 2

Last updated - 11:00 Monday 20th September

I wrote to you at the start of the term regarding the measures we were taking to minimise the risk for students and staff. Last week, I provided an update on these measures, with the additional mitigations we needed to take due to the increase in positive Covid cases, and said we would be reviewing them on a weekly basis.

On this basis the following mitigations and information have been updated or received during the last week:

• Lateral Flow & PCR Testing – all students should continue to do two lateral flow tests per week at home.
  • If they have a positive test, they should then have a follow up PCR Test.
  • If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school.
  • If PCR is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation.
  • If other members of the family test positive, your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.

In addition to these testing arrangements we have been informed by Public Health Wiltshire that if any student has been in contact with a positive case and has symptoms they should book a PCR test.

• Covid & Flu Vaccinations – we have been informed that the these are scheduled to take place in school, for eligible students, on Wednesday 6 October; as for previous vaccinations parental consent will be sought through the normal route.
• Sporting Fixtures – fixtures this week against other schools will be cancelled or rearranged, including the rugby on Saturday 25 September.

The following mitigations will continue as before:

• Face Masks – all year groups will still be required to wear face masks in lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship for multiple year groups have been paused. The individual year group assemblies and Chapel Services will continue as previously outlined.
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on-site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

We will continue to review these measures on a weekly basis to make the school as safe as possible.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021 Update

Last updated - 08:00 Tuesday 14th September

I wrote to you at the start of the term regarding the measures we were taking to minimise the risk for students and staff.

Having reviewed the first two weeks of term it is clear the case numbers are rising and the main spread for the virus is via the airborne route, particularly with the current variants.

On this basis we now need to add to the mitigations in place to keep students safe and at school, in line with the government legislation, so we are updating our advice as follows to try to minimise and reduce infection levels:

• Lateral Flow Testing – all students should now be testing twice a week at home. If they have a positive test they should then have a follow up PCR Test. If the PCR test is negative they can return to school; if it is positive, NHS Test & Trace will notify you of the period of isolation. If other members of the family test positive your son or daughter can still come to school if they have a negative result from a test.
• Face Masks – due to the number of cases across all year groups we have now reached the threshold where we need to inform Public Health England. On this basis, from Wednesday 15 September, face masks will now be required in all lessons, sixth form study rooms, ICT rooms and the library. They will also be required in any room where the occupants will be together for over 15mins and in close proximity. (This will not apply if you are exempt from wearing a mask as previously outlined by the guidance)
• School Assemblies – weekly assemblies and collective worship with multiple year groups will be paused. They will be replaced with individual year group assemblies, which the Heads of School will produce a programme for and inform the students. The individual year group Chapel Services will continue as normal.

The following mitigations will continue as before:

• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

We will review these measures on a weekly basis to make the school as safe as possible, and I hope the school community will support these measures to help us continue in this way.

COVID Mitigations - Autumn Term 2021

Last updated - 12:00 Sunday 5th September

As the whole school returns next week we wanted to update you on the measures we are taking to minimise the risk for students and staff.

The current information we have received regarding the coronavirus indicates the main spread is via the airborne route, this is particularly the case with the variants that have been identified.

Based on the requirements outlined by the Department for Education, and advice we have received, the following will be important measures in minimising infection levels:

• Lateral Flow Testing – all students are to have two tests in school on their return and then continue with twice weekly testing until the end of September. Students who test positive will need to have a follow up PCR Test, with close contacts undertaking daily testing but remaining in school unless they themselves test positive.
• Rooms to be well ventilated – all windows and doors to be open to allow air to circulate. All room usage should ideally be no longer than an hour in length and students should leave the rooms after this time to allow the air to replenish. This fits well with our current timetable, with lessons of a maximum of 1 hour in length. The nature of the school means there are very few other enclosed spaces, so the students are at a lower risk when not in lessons. (We purchased a CO2 monitor last term to monitor rooms and the air quality was good if appropriate levels of ventilation were maintained)
• Face Masks – one of the most basic measures everyone can undertake to prevent infection levels rising is the use of a face mask. The national advice for this has changed since the last academic year but we would strongly recommend students use face masks in lessons due to the time spent in the rooms and their proximity to others. If the cases nationally continue to rise, particularly in the younger age groups, we may well have to make the wearing of masks compulsory again in lessons. Sensible use of masks now may help prevent this next step having to be taken.
• Hand sanitising – the hand sanitiser dispensers on site will remain in place and should continue to be used to help with basic hygiene measures.
• Designated outdoor areas – all year groups will continue to have specific areas of the school to use at break and lunch times.

We have tried to adopt sensible approaches to keeping the school open, and I hope the school community will support these measures to help us continue in this way.

Return to School Letters - September 2021

A copy of all letters sent to parents regarding the return to school in September and the procedure for Lateral Flow Testing can be found at the bottom of this page.  Please note that Year 12 were contacted directly via teams, if you are a new Y12 student who has yet to receive your login, please email ajw@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

Use of face coverings on school transport - Updated

12:00 Friday 14th May - Wiltshire Council letter to parents added to bottom of this page

Please see the following advice updated by Wiltshire County Council

Following the announcement by the Government that the next step of the Roadmap out of Lockdown will take place on 17th May I thought it would be helpful to explain how school transport is affected by the changes.

Dedicated School Transport will continue to run as it does now. There are no changes to routes and timetables. Passengers will still need to wear a face covering whilst on board. I would appreciate your assistance in spreading this message, please, as with face coverings no longer being needed in classrooms I would understand it if children and young people felt that the transport rules were similarly relaxed. This isn’t the case. Buses and coaches continue to be Covid-safe places to be, as long as the current mitigations remain in place.

Public Buses are now nearly all back running to their normal timetables, with additional capacity being provided where it has been found necessary. Pupils should continue to travel as they do now, whether that is on the main bus, or one of the additional “school pupils only” vehicles. As with dedicated school transport, face coverings must still be worn on public buses and on any additional vehicles provided to supplement the service. Again, I would appreciate your assistance in spreading this message.

Please click below for a full copy of the letter issued to all schools and parents

Remote Education Provision - Information for Parents and Carers

This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents or carers about what to expect from remote education where national or local restrictions require entire cohorts (or bubbles) to remain at home.

• Remote education provision at Bishop Wordsworth's School – (Updated 12th Feb 2021)

Last updated - 10:00 Friday 3rd September

BWS Remote Learning System Status

• Staff Remote Desktop - Good Service
• Student Remote Desktop - Good Service
• New web based Remote Desktop - click here to login - Good Service (Facility  to change your password has been added)
• Teams - click here to login - Good Service (username is xxxxx@bws-school.org.uk)

An acceptable user guide for Microsoft Teams has been published for all students to read, a copy is available here

For technical enquiries, please email insight@bws.wilts.sch.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you are reporting an error, if possible, please attach a screen shot

Last Updated:-10:00 3rd September 2021