Welcome to St George's School
My child has a new persistent cough, or is hot to touch, or has loss or change in taste or smell. What do I do?
- Self-isolate your child
- Go online and book a PCR test for your child.
My child has a positve LFD Test result at home, but is not showing symptoms. What do I do?
- Self-isolate your child for up to 10 full days (Day 1 being the first day after testing). Do NOT book a PCR test.
- Take LFD Tests on Day 5 and Day 6 (at least 24 hours apart)
- If both tests are negative, and your child does not have a temperature, they can stop isolating. If a test is positive, or your child has a temperature, continue to isolate.
- Continue to LFD Test each day. If Day 6 and 7 are both clear, come out of isolation on Day 7. If Day 7 and 8 are negative, come out of isolation on Day 8. If Day 8 and 9 are negative, come out of isolation on Day 9, and the same applies for Day 9 and 10.
- Self isolation otherwise finishes at the end of Day 10 as long as the patient is not hot to touch. Please be aware that coughs, taste and smell issues and other symptoms may linger for a while afterwards.
What else should we do at home?
- Although there is no national requirement for primary aged children to LFD test twice a week, we would ask that families continue to do so each Wednesday and Sunday. This is due to the ongoing high rates of Covid.
- Children under the age of 5 do not need to have LFD tests, unless they have been a close contact. In this case they should test daily for seven days if possible.
Covid-19 Message (December 31st 2021)
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am writing to confirm arrangements at the school as a result of the new Omicron. In the absence of any national guidance for schools, we are continuing to apply the measures in place at the end of the autumn term. This may change in the event that new guidance is provided nationally.
Children return to school on Wednesday 5th January 2022. They should ideally have two LFD tests prior to return, with these suggested as being Sunday 2nd January and Tuesday 4th January. Any child testing positive, or who is showing a symptom of Covid-19, must NOT return on Wednesday. If testing positive, a PCR test should be organised. Anyone with a sympton must also be PCR tested.
Face coverings
All staff and visitors to the school should be wearing face coverings in communal areas. There is no expectation that primary age pupils wear face coverings.
Symptoms, testing and self-isolation
We are receiving reports of a wide variety of symptoms being associated with positive cases of Covid-19. While some children appear to be presenting with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, the Government advice is still focused on the main three symptoms.
If your child is unwell with a symptom not on the NHS list, it would be advisable to test them with an LFD test. If your child tests positive on the LFD Test, your child should isolate, and you should book a PCR test online. The school will arrange remote education so that they can continue their learning, if they are well enough to do so.
It is important that anyone that is displaying one of the main three symptoms self-isolates immediately and organises a PCR test. It is not appropriate to use rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests when individuals have symptoms likely to be COVID-19.
If your child is identified as a close contact of a positive case of Covid-19 but is not showing any symptoms they should continue to attend school but, where possible, should be LFD tested each day for 7 days.
Asymptomatic testing
We continue to strongly encourage all staff, students and all households to take part in regular testing if they are not showing symptoms. This will help to reduce the risk of the virus unknowingly entering the school community. We acknowledge that for some children this may cause some distress, so this is advice only and not something to continue if it is too difficult. You can access free LFD tests in a number of ways, including at pharmacies, by collecting a home LFD kit from a test site, or by ordering online.
School attendance
Children and young people must continue to attend school unless they develop symptoms likely to be COVID-19 or have tested positive.
Contact tracing
Close contacts in schools are now identified by NHS Test and Trace and education settings are not expected to undertake contact tracing. As with positive cases in any other setting, NHS Test and Trace will work with the positive case and/or their parent to identify close contacts. Contacts from a school setting will only be traced by NHS Test and Trace where the positive case and/or their parent specifically identifies the individual as being a close contact.
Special Events
School performances and special events can continue to take place if the schools’ risk assessment deems it appropriate. However, if a school has a high infection rate, they will review the risk assessment and if necessary, make appropriate changes. This could include cancelling the gathering/event at short notice or moving the event online or outside. When gathering indoors and/or attending an event, face coverings should be worn, and we would encourage that an LFD test is taken before attendance. The decision not to hold events with a parent audience has the full support of Essex County Council.
Preparation for the start of the new term in January
I would encourage you to continue to undertake twice weekly LFD tests during the school holiday period and prior to your child returning in January. With social mixing during the holiday period it is vital that we support a successful start to the new term by knowing that all pupils have had a negative test beforehand, again if this does cause any distress. We appreciate that the changes in guidance can cause anxiety for some, but it is important that the education of our children and young people is prioritised this academic year.
Mr Carl Messer (Headteacher), based on guidance from Clare Kershaw (ECC Director of Education) and Mike Gogarty (ECC Director of Health and Wellbeing)
Message from the School
Please find below the arrangements for current term. The school is operating differently to reflect the wider opening of society, whilst being prepared to reintroduce the 'bubble' system if required. We are calling this our 'hybrid system', which may be changed and altered over time.
Woodlands Morning Arrival (All Years)
Gates Opened : 8:40am
Families use current ‘one way drop off’ system, entering the North Gate and exiting the East Gate. Please feel welcome to drop your child off at the classroom door between 8:40am and 8:55am.
Registration : 8:55am
Formal Session Start : 9:00am
Woodlands Afternoon Departure
East Gate Opened : 2:50pm (for Reception) to start waiting on the playground.
Classes Handed Over : Badgers C1 3:00pm, Hedgehogs C2 3:02pm, Rabbits C3 3:04pm
West Gate Opened : 2:55pm (for Year 1) to start waiting on the playground.
Classes Handed Over : Nightingales C4 3:05pm, Robins C5 3:07pm, Woodpeckers C6 3:09pm
East Gate : 3:05pm (for Year 2)
Classes Handed Over : Falcons C7 3:10pm, Owls C8 3:12pm, Sparrowhawks C9 3:14pm
Towers Morning Arrival
The gates will open at 8:40am, and children will be able to enter the site. The playground will be supervised by a member of the school team, and your child will enter the school straight away.
Gates Opened : 8:40am (South Year 3, West Year 4, East Year 5, North Year 6)
Children enter the school and get ready for 8:50am registration for 9am session start.
Families bring their children to the gate of their youngest KS2 child. All KS2 children in that family can enter via that gate, there is no need to drop your Key Stage 2 children off and separate gates. .
Towers Afternoon Departure
Gates Opened : 3:05pm (Some families start to arrive from the Woodlands site)
Year 3 (South Playground) : Class 10 3:20pm, Class 11 3:22pm, Class 12 3:24pm
Year 4 (West Playground) : Class 13 3:20pm, Class 14 3:22pm, Class 15 3:24pm
Year 5 (East Playground) : Class 16 3:20pm, Class 17 3:22pm, Class 18 3:24pm
Year 6 (West Playground) : Class 19 3:20pm, Class 20 3:22pm, Class 21 3:24pm
Families should feel free to move through the site in order to collect different children. Please note that the gates will not be supervised by members of the school team, and all parents and carers retain responsibility for their own children on site, and must keep them closely supervised.
Staying Safe Means Better Attendance!
- The current Covid-19 variant is spreads quickly, including through school children.
- If a member of your household has a continuous cough, is hot to touch, or has a change or loss of taste or smell, the poorly person will need to isolate until they have a PCR test. If the PCR test is negative, they can stop isolating.
- If a family member tests positive, unvaccinated household members must self-isolate for 10 whole days from the date of the first symptom, or date of the test, whichever is sooner. However, anyone in the family who is younger than 18 years and 6 months old, or who has received a double vaccination, will not need to isolate as long as they do not have symptoms or have not tested positive.
- If in contact with a person testing positive who is not in your household, 'double jabbed' adults, and children (under 18 years 6 months old) do not need to isolate. Daily LFD tests should be taken though.
- If a person is contacted by Track and Trace, that individual must follow any instruction to self isolate.
- If your child is in multiple bubbles (not just their household or school class), the risk of being a close contact rises. Please keep this in mind if trying to protect your family.
- If your child has a symptom of Covid-19, they are to self isolate and they should have a PCR test (which overrides any LFT test). If this test is negative, your child may return to school as long as they feel well enough, and as long as Test and Trace hve not informed you of the need to self isolate.
- Families are encouraged to test their child at home, twice a week, with a Lateral Flow Device test (know as an LFT). These can be collected from libraries, pharmacies, or ordered to be delivered to your home.
To assist safety:
- Please feel welcome to wear a mask on the playground. This is encouraged by the school.
- Do not drive your car close to the schools. Please do not drive in:
- Canterbury Road (the school end)
- Barrington Road
- Claudius Road
- Grimston Road
Please leave these roads free for adults more space to be socially distanced, allowing families with children more space on the pavements.
Your child must not attend school if:
- They show at least one symptom of Covid-19.
- They have tested positive for Covid-19 on a LFT test (home type) or PCR test (test centre type).
- Test and Trace have informed you that your child must self-isolate.
Most self-isolation periods are for a full 10 days, but Test and Trace will guide you on this.
Take care everyone,
Mr Carl Messer (Headteacher)
Covid Symptoms or Positive Tests at the Weekend
- If a child registered at St George's School receives a POSITIVE test result for Covid-19, and the school is closed (eg evenings or weekends) please TEXT 07928 373686 to inform us of the situation. Do not worry if you do not receive a reply.
- If a child is required to self isolate for 10 days due to having a positive test, they are considered fit at the end even if they continue to have a cough or loss of taste or smell. If they continue to have a fever, however, they must stay in self isolation beyond 10 days until this has returned to normal (at least 48 hours).
All children attending:
- Must only do so if well, free from Covid-19 symptons, and not testing positive.
- Must be collected from school immediately in the event that they show symptoms of Covid-19 (a new persistent cough, are hot to touch, or have loss of smell or taste).
- Must arrive on time, and be collected on time to avoid cross infection.
- Bring a bag to school with their packed lunch (if required) and reading book.
- Wear their PE Kit to school on PE days. We will inform you of these days as soon as possible.
By taking precautions, the whole community is protecting the school, which in turn enables children to attend school for as many days as possible. We expect to have at least 95% attendance at school even with these measures in place.
Contact Us:
- The main entrance will be closed. Please do not try to enter the school building unless absolutely necessary. Visitors may speak with us via the intercom.
- Call us on 01206 506800
- Email us using the email addresses below.
Contact
Administration contact@stgeorgesschool.org (Enquiries)
Mrs Dale jdale@stgeorgesschool.org (Towers Campus)
Mrs Cooke tcooke@stgeorgesschool.org (Woodlands Campus)
Mrs Vicarey avicarey@stgeorgesschool.org (Safeguarding and Child Protection)
SEN Issues senco@stgeorgesschool.org
Welfare Issues nurture@stgeorgesschool.org
Telephone 01206 506800 ( 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday)
Asking for Help
StarLine on 0330 313 9162. StarLine is an independent body, staffed by teachers and Ofsted employees, who are available to give advice to families. Be aware that the call will be charged at the local rate.
Staying Safe Whilst Learning Online
The following websites may be useful in helping families to keep their children safe whilst working online.
www.ceop-police.uk
www.childnet.com
www.internetmatters.org
www.net-aware.org.uk
www.parentinfo.org
www.saferinternet.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/safeguarding/schools-protecting-children-abuse-neglect
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