September 2020 Arrangements
Part 6 Medical Matters
We can't wait to welcome all the children to school in September!
However - let's start by being completely clear - COVID-19 has not yet gone away.
Whilst welcoming all children back this autumn, we will also be asked to minimise the number of contacts that a child has during the school day as part of implementing the system of controls outlined by risk assessment to reduce the risk of transmission. All elements of the system of controls are essential.
The overarching principle we are having to apply is to reduce the number of contacts between children and staff. We will achieve this through keeping phase or year groups separate (in ‘bubbles’) and through maintaining distance between individuals. These are not alternative options and both measures will help, but the balance between them will change depending on:
- children’s ability to distance from others.
- the lay out of the school and the movement needed.
- the feasibility of keeping distinct groups separate while offering a broad curriculum and a near normal school experience.
- the necessity for enhanced hygiene measures.
What to do if parents suspect that someone in their family has symptoms of COVID
Anyone who experiences symptoms (new, persistent cough and/or high temperature and/or a change in the sense of smell or taste) is advised to self-isolate and order a test.
Anyone in the household will also need to isolate (including children if parents are symptomatic).
A test can be requested from the NHS website or by ringing 119.
What would happen at school if a parent, child or member of staff had symptoms?
- Whilst the person with symptoms is waiting for their test result, there is no need for any additional measures to be taken by the educational setting, except to ensure hand and environmental hygiene measures are in place.
- If the test comes back negative, then the person with symptoms can return to the setting (provided they feel well enough).
- If the test comes back positive, then the national contact tracing advisory service will be notified automatically and begin contact tracing. They will provide advice to the person who received a positive result as well as their contacts.
- If a test comes back as inconclusive, then another test needs to be arranged. Whilst a result is expected, the person waiting for the test needs to stay at home and not attend the setting.
- If a test comes back positive, it might be necessary to ask pupils in the same cohort (or “bubble”) that the staff member or pupil was part of, to self-isolate. The school would take further advice in this instance.
Other illnesses
Symptoms of other kinds - seasonal coughs and colds etc
Our recommendation is to stick to official guidance regarding the main symptoms of COVID - a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a change in the senses of taste and smell.
If your child shows any other symptoms, such as a rash, a stomach complaint, a cold, a sore throat or sickness, please keep them away from school, administer the usual medication for these complaints and watch them carefully in case they go on to develop any of the main three symptoms of COVID.
The important thing is that if they are clearly visibly poorly with a runny nose and or a cough and would perhaps even benefit from Calpol through the day it is better to keep them off. If they are reliant on tissues and are sneezing a lot, it's better to keep them off. The main reason being that if a cold sweeps through the class/school it makes people’s immunity lower and also can mask Covid symptoms.
Colds are inevitable at this time of year. We are asking parents to keep the children off more readily than they would normally just for a cold. We’re trying to stay as fully open as we can for a long as we can.
If you are concerned in any way about any of their symptoms, please seek professional medical advice - don't rely on rumours, the media or other people's opinions - consult an expert.
Children who fall ill at school
If you don't wish elderly grandparents to take part in the school run due to protecting them from possible infection please choose someone else to be the emergency contact and let us know their details as soon as possible.
Medication at school
The school is happy to continue administering lifelong continuous medication such as that which treats asthma and diabetes or other long term conditions and illnesses which sometimes require medication such as ADHD, however, we would prefer not to give out any other types of medication at the moment.
This is so that all children who are ill in any way are treated at home, rather than at school. It is important that these children are kept away from school for two reasons:
- Any illness which requires short term prescription or over the counter medicine could turn out to be as yet undiagnosed COVID as explained above.
- To protect the rest of the school community from contracting other virus symptoms which may weaken individual's immunity and render them less physically equipped to fight COVID should they contract it.
Headlice
Medical Appointments
How to inform us that your child is ill
The number to ring is 01757 704308
The email is admin@bp.starmat.uk