Returning to school – a few updates

Happy New Year to you and your family! We trust you have had a good break and have kept well.

  • We return on Wednesday 5th Jan (Tues 4th Jan is an INSET).
  • New PE days for this term: Mondays Yr6 … Tuesdays Yrs 1 & 5 … Wednesdays Yr4 … Thursdays YrR … Fridays Yrs 2 & 3. Note – Yr4 will need to be in PE kit on the first day back
  • The DfE has updated some Covid guidance, but it doesn’t really affect primary schools.
  • Classes closing – although rare, this may happen because of staff shortages. It would be a last resort, and we would always provide online learning. As the Scouts say, “Be Prepared”! What would you do if we sent a text out about a class closure?
  • Laptops – we have a small number available. If you have any lying around (either borrowed from school or an older one you can donate), please send them in!
  • Masks – Children shouldn’t wear masks at school. Staff will do so when outside of their bubble. Parents and carers, please continue to wear a mask on site.
  • Bubbles – We will continue with year group bubbles. Staffing shortages and educational benefits mean that it’s the best way for our children.
  • Self-Isolation period – this continues to be 10 days. However, individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. This also applies to children under 5, with LFD testing at parental or guardian discretion. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to school from day 8.
  • Siblings – if a child or person in your household has to take a PCR test, we would strongly request getting siblings PCR tested, too. Siblings are allowed to return to school if the PCR test is precautionary, although we are supportive with remote learning if the child/ren remain at home until the result comes in.
  • Reporting of positive cases – Please continue to report to covid@stmarksce.org.uk . Include details of start date of symptoms, which symptoms if any, LFD or PCR test results, and keep us updated.
  • Daily testing for close contacts of Covid – People who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months, identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, should take an LFD test every day for seven days and continue to attend school as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time. (Children under 5 are not being advised to take part in daily testing of close contacts. If a child under 5 is a contact of a confirmed case, they are not required to self-isolate and should not start daily testing. If they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 they should limit their contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19, and arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible. They can continue to attend school while waiting for the PCR result. If the test is positive, they should follow the self-isolation guidance.)