Academy Reopening Procedures & Protocols

We aim to minimise contact with students and adults who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend the academy.

The Government feel taking temperatures is an unreliable method and do not advise taking temperatures each day.

NHS advice: symptoms and testing

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
• new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you have noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

You can find out more here.  

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can ask for a test to check if you have the virus.  This is called an antigen test.

There is another type of test (antibody test) that checks if you've already had the virus.  This test is not widely available yet.  You can find out about antibody testing on GOV.UK

Arrangements for testing

You can get a throat and nose swab test for whether you currently have coronavirus. This is part of the 5-pillar strategy for coronavirus testing. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.

Who can be tested

The following groups of people can ask for a test through the NHS website:

• anyone in England and Wales who has symptoms of coronavirus, whatever their age.
• anyone in Scotland and Northern Ireland aged over 5 who has symptoms of coronavirus.

The following groups of people can access priority testing through GOV.UK:

• essential workers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• anyone in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over 5 years old who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with an essential worker.
• children under 5 years old in England and Wales who have symptoms of coronavirus and live with an essential worker (this test must be performed by a parent or carer).

See the guidance on testing for essential workers and the list of essential workers.

Additional guidance:

If a member of staff, parent/carer presents with symptoms, they will leave the academy to be tested. They should not return to work.  They should inform the academy of the result as soon as possible.  If the test is negative and they are well enough to attend work, they can do so.

If a student presents with symptoms the parents/carers will be asked to collect the child and arrange for them to be tested.  They should remain at home until they are told of the result (and, if it is negative, until they are well enough to attend).  Any positive tests must be notified to the academy immediately so appropriate action can be taken.

What to do if someone develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) whilst at an educational setting

If anyone develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in an education setting they must be sent home and advised to follow the staying at home guidance. 

If a child is awaiting collection, they should be moved, if possible, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window should be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people.

If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they should use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.

PPE should be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).

In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.

If a member of staff has helped someone who was taken unwell with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell. Cleaning the area with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. You can find guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.

Our procedures follow this guidance (Please follow this link)

PPE

PPE is not recommended in education settings other than if someone is presenting with symptoms.  Further details can be found  here.

We promote the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.

Students and staff are asked to use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste.Lidded bins are in place in the academy.

We have cleaners onsite during the day, toilets & touchpoints are cleaned every hour. Each classroom has a hygiene station & routines involving regular cleaning & sanitising of equipment. Equipment will be cleaned before use by another class.

For more information follow this link.

• Students are advised against social mixing on the way to & from the academy.
• Students are encouraged to walk, cycle or come by car if possible.
• Each year group has a designated entrance.
• Year group bubbles will be kept separate as much as possible.
• Each year group has a designated eating area, outdoor area & quiet area for SEND/vulnerable students.
• Entrances for year group and their zones are clearly marked.
• All desks will face forward and the teacher will aim to keep a 2m distance.
• Teachers can check students' understanding via iPads/personal mini whiteboards.
• Water fountains will not be operating and students are advised to bring their own drinks.
• Hygiene procedures are in place at the beginning & end of every lesson.
• Rooms will be well ventilated.

Travel

Government advice is to cycle, walk or travel by car if possible, to allow capacity for those who need to travel by bus.  If there is no alternative to public transport, take steps to maintain own safety and safety of others.

Department for Transport travelling advice for parents/carers and students

The Department for Transport has issued advice on how parents/carers and students can travel to school safely as part of the #TravelSafely campaign.  Resources have been developed to ensure that parents/carers, students and staff have the information they need to stay safe on the public transport network.  This includes information developed in collaboration with respected partners on how to cycle and walk safely, where possible.

Resources can be found here:

• Back to school poster
• Plan your journey Poster
• Letter to parents from Mr Riley 

Further information can be found on the DfE website

Launch of the NHS Test and Trace service

The new NHS Test and Trace service will form a central part of the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy.

Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions.

People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus.

Further information on the NHS Test and Trace service can be found here.

Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers can be found  here.

Guidance on how the NHS Test and Trace works can be found here.

Public Health England has published guidance that explains what you should do if the NHS Test and Trace service notifies you that you are a contact of a person who has tested positive for coronavirus and you do not live with that person.

The guidance can be found here.

Our privacy notice can be found here.

• The government has confirmed that all students should now be in the academy from September and normal attendance procedures will be followed.
• If your child is absent from the academy for whatever reason, please ring reception by 9.30 and let us know the details.
• If your child has Covid 19 symptoms, please do not send them to the academy, book in a test and let us know the outcome as soon as possible
• If your child or family are self isolating, please let us know as soon as possible.
• If your child is one of a very small number who has been advised by a doctor that they should be shielding, please contact the attendance team and provide evidence
• Please be aware that holidays during term time have a considerable impact on your child’s education and will incur a fine for each parent

Details can be found here.

Any student who becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), should remain at home and arrange test at the earliest possible opportunity. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

If a student becomes unwell during the school day, they will be isolated within the academy and parents/carers will be contacted in order to collect their child. Siblings, and other member of the household, will also require collection. You should arrange a test at the earliest opportunity. 

Please contact firstaid.pingle@deferrerstrust.com to advise us of the result of the test. 

If the test result is negative, the student (and siblings) can return to the academy as normal. If the test result is positive then you should follow NHS guidelines regarding periods of self-isolation:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For the Academy’s safeguarding policy, including recent addendums, please follow this link

Please use the following links

• Coronavirus: what you need to know 
• Education and childcare (including student well being, examination, further education and vocational training) 
• Find out what you can do if you are struggling because of Coronavirus 
• Implementing protective measures in schools and childcare settings (including group sizes, infection control and the wearing of PPE/face masks)
• Living with a shielded or clinically vulnerable person 
• NHS guidance 
• Staying safe outside your home 
• Support when someone dies 
• Young people on shielding and protecting people most likely to become unwell if they catch coronavirus 
• What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Reopening FAQs for parents & carers

The government has announced that secondary schools are to reopen to all students from the beginning of September providing that there is no rise in the 'R' rate (reproduction rate) as a result of other measures of easing the lockdown.

Understandably, a lot of parents and carers have questions and concerns about their child returning to academy. In this section, we have answered several frequently asked questions to address those queries.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our young people, their families, and our staff is our top priority, and we hope the measures we have put in place reassure you that your child will be safe upon returning to academy.

At the same time, we must recognise that academy life this term will be different to before the lockdown. Government guidelines still highlight the importance of reducing contact between people, including students in schools, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

To do this, we will ensure the students and staff at our academy only mix with a small, consistent group called a ‘bubble’. You will find that the term ‘bubble’ is referenced throughout these FAQs, so we would like to start by telling you what a ‘bubble’ is.

What is a ‘bubble’?

A ‘bubble’ is a defined group of people that one person meets regularly. It is essential for individuals to be in only one ‘bubble’, and two or more ‘bubbles’ should never cross. By ensuring that they only have contact within their ‘bubble’, individuals are protected against cross-contamination.

 

Will the academy day start and end at the same time?

There are changes to the timings of the academy day to ensure we can safely manage drop off and collection of children. We will communicate these arrangements with parents/carers before the academy returns.

Should my child wear a face covering, mask or other PPE?

Government guidance states, “Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended”

Staff will only wear PPE when:

• a child whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs.
• a child becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus while in their setting and needs direct personal care until they can return home. A face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if 2 metres cannot be maintained. If contact with the child or young person is necessary, then gloves, an apron and a face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. If a risk assessment determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protection should also be worn.

If you have any concerns, please get in touch.

Will Breakfast Club start again?

At this stage we need to consider the health and safety of students and staff therefore breakfast club will not be open.

What are my responsibilities as a parent or carer?

As a parent or carer, you have the following responsibilities:

• To respond in good time to requests from the academy for information that aids our ability to plan, prepare, and maintain a happy and safe academy environment.
• To inform the academy in good time should your child not be able to attend on the day.
• To be polite and courteous to members of staff always.
• To understand that the day for attendance will be allocated to your child and that they are non-negotiable due to safety and operational reasons.
• To adhere to the government guidelines for social distancing at all times outside of the academy premises and to ensure that your child also follows these guidelines.

Will after-school clubs start again?

No, they will not. At this stage, we are regrettably unable to offer an after-school provision for students. This may, however, change in the following weeks if our staffing resources allow