Orrell Lamberhead Green Primary Academy

We are now in Step 4 of the Government’s response to Coronavirus. The measures in place in this phase are significantly different from the previous measures. As Coronavirus becomes “a virus we learn to live with” there is a move away from the stringent restrictions.  The measures in place cover 4 main areas

• Ensure good hygiene for everyone.
• Maintain appropriate cleaning regimes.
• Keep occupied spaces well ventilated.
• Follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19

Measure 1– Good hygiene for every one

Frequent and thorough hand cleaning is now regular practice. We will continue to ensure that pupils clean their hands regularly. This can be done with soap and water or hand sanitiser.

Because of the physical nature of our school, we will ensure children

• Use hand sanitiser on entry to school
• Wash their hands with soap after using the toilet
• Use hand sanitiser before eating and after lunch/playtime

Measure 2– Maintain appropriate cleaning regimes

In line with guidance, cleaning will take place  twice per day, with a particular focus on frequently touched areas.

Measure 3– Ventilation of occupied spaces

Well ventilated teaching environment will be maintained.  All of our classrooms have external windows that can be opened to improve natural ventilation. In addition, we have been advised that the government will be providing monitors to aid us in ensuring that rooms are correctly ventilated.

Measure 4- Follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19

If your child has any of the main symptom, they should take a PCR test and isolate until the results of the test are known

In line with advice from Public health-pupils should not come into school if they have symptoms

• a high temperature,
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss of sense of smell/taste

If a child in schools develops any of the three recognised symptoms, they will be sent home to follow public health advice and take a PCR test

If a pupil has any of these symptoms, or has a positive LFD test, they should take a PCR test and isolate while waiting for the result.

Public Health advice states—If your PCR test result is negative but you still have symptoms, you may have another viral illness such as a cold, flu or a stomach bug. You should stay at home until you feel well . If you have had diarrhoea or vomiting for at least 2 more days  after the symptoms end.

Isolation

Close contacts of those with Coronavirus no longer have to isolate

Individuals are not required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply:

• they are fully vaccinated
• they are below the age of 18 years and 6 months
• they have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• they are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

If a pupil tests positive, there is no requirement for anyone who has been in close contact with that child to isolate. This means that the class is not required to isolate.

If someone in a child’s household tests positive (e.g. a sibling or a parent) the child does not need to isolate and can attend school as normal. So, if a child in Y1  (for example) tests positive and they have brothers or sister in another class/year group– those brothers/sisters can still attend school

Testing

Close contacts of cases in school will now be identified by the NHS track and trace teams. They will be recommending that close contacts take PCR test, but close contacts who do not have symptoms, do not need to isolate while waiting for the outcomes.

If you take a PCR test because you have symptoms, then you must isolate until you have the test results.

Beginning and end of the day

There will no longer be a one way system around school. However, please be mindful that some people would prefer to maintain some social distancing practices– so we should avoid blocking gates/paths or gathering in large groups.

The doors will open at 8:45am and close at 8:55am

KS1 end of day 3:20pm

KS2 end of day 3:25pm

We will put a map of which doors are to be used  by which classes on the school website on Monday 6th September.

Bubbles are gone– for the moment.

Children no longer need to be in consistent groups; this means that they can mix freely in lessons, in assembly, in the dining room etc.

However  if there were to be an increase of cases in either the school or the locality it may become necessary to reintroduce ‘bubbles’ for a temporary period as part of the school’s contingency plan to reduce mixing between groups.

A decision on the need to invoke a contingency plan will be taken in consultation with local Public Health.

PE

Children will continue to come to school in their PE kits on the day that they have PE.

Because the hall will be out of use until October half term, PE will be outside. Please make sure your child comes to school in clothes suitable for outdoor PE. They will need long joggers, plain t-shirt and a hoodie/sweatshirt. Please don’t send them in their best sports wear!

A PE timetable will be posted on the school website on 6th September.

Before and After school club

The Orchard Before  and After school club will operate from the Community Room,

If you need to book a place, please book via your child’s scopay account

If you need further information about The Orchard, please email

report@lamberheadgreen.org.uk

Lunch will still be eaten in the classrooms.

Because the hall will be out of use until October half term, lunches will still be eaten in the classroom. If your child is having a school lunch, you should book their choices in advance. Lunch choices can be made through your child’s Scopay account

If your child brings a packed lunch, please make sure their lunch box is labelled clearly with their name. They should bring at least one good drink in addition to their water bottle