The High March Community and COVID-19
Moving on from the Pandemic – High March Policy Summer Term 2022
The government has now removed all mandatory Covid restrictions and guidance for the general public and their specific advice and guidance for schools during the Covid-19 pandemic has now also been removed. It is clear that they now expect us to move forward from the period of the pandemic and to begin ‘living with’ Covid-19 in much the same way as we do with other respiratory infections. To reflect the changes in guidance, the following approach will be followed at High March starting from the beginning of the Summer Term 2022.
Respiratory Infections
Without testing, Covid-19 symptoms are very similar to other infections such as Flu.
Common symptoms of Covid-19 and other respiratory infections are:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
In most cases, a case of Covid-19 or other respiratory infection will be a relatively mild illness and should not prevent us from getting on with our normal day-to-day activities for very long.
There are some groups who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously unwell. These include:
- older people
- pregnant women
- unvaccinated people
- those with weakened immune systems
- those with certain long-term conditions
- some children under two with a heart condition or who were born prematurely
Vaccinations are now available for children from the age of 5 to 15. Parents will receive information from the NHS explaining how to arrange for their child to be vaccinated if they wish to do so. More information can be found here.
Minimising the Risk of Infection Amongst the High March Community
In order to minimise the risk of passing on infections we will continue to:
- Practise strict hand and respiratory hygiene throughout the school
- Have enhanced cleaning of key areas at regular intervals in the day
- Monitor and maintain ventilation levels throughout the school
What should parents now do if they think their child has Covid-19 or similar respiratory infection?
If your child has symptoms of a respiratory infection and is unwell and/or has a high temperature, parents should keep them at home until they no longer have a temperature and are feeling better (3 days is recommended). On their return, pupils should be able to complete their school day with relative ease (they may decide to miss extra-curricular activities if they are still feeling tired).
Parents should inform the school that their child is unwell via the school Office.
Isolation work will not be provided for children who are away from school because they are unwell and need to rest a recuperate. Staff will ensure that a child ‘catches-up’ on any learning when she returns to school in the normal way.
Testing for Covid-19
The NHS advise that most people in England no longer need to get tested and that it is not recommended that children and young people are tested for Covid-19 unless directed by a healthcare professional. If a child tests positive for Covid-19, it is recommended that they stay home for 3 days after they took the test in order to reduce the chance of infection and to allow the child to rest and recover.
Notification of a Symptomatic Case in Pupils/Staff
We will no longer send out specific notifications to parents if a child/member of staff is absent from school because of a respiratory illness including Covid-19.
KG – April 2022