10th July 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,

Unfortunately we had confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school across both
staff and students.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the
situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform
you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please
be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The students who have been in close contact with the individuals who have tested
positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have been informed through phone calls home
to advise parents and carers that their child must stay at home for 10 days.

As we are a relatively small Academy and operating as our own bubble the
confirmed case has had a greater impact on our school community. Due to the
number of students and staff required to self isolate as a result of close contact we
have therefore taken the decision to close the Academy at High Pavement and
Richmond House whilst the isolation period is adhered to. We will be physically
closed from Friday 9th July – Thursday 15th July. We hope to return to school on Friday 16th July but we will be advised by Public Health England.

The Academy will be working remotely. Our engagement team will be contacting
their key students for registration and safeguarding purposes in the morning and
afternoon and teaching staff will ensure work is available for students to access via
Google Classroom.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and
should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms
appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally
available test type) and this can be arranged via
https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the
house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s
symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms)
and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10 day isolation
period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the
25th and you can return to your normal routine.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise
should be taken within the home.
If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or
walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your
shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall
amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with
underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the
duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

· a new continuous cough
· a high temperature
· a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website
at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening
you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with
getting ill with COVID-19
Do
· wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20
seconds
· use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
· wash your hands as soon as you get home
· cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands)
when you cough or sneeze
· put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information
Further information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Yours sincerely

Kerrie Henton
Principal