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1. Testing
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In the event of an outbreak, our academies will need to
adhere to national guidance on the reintroduction of home
testing and onsite asymptomatic testing
- If recommended, increase the use of home testing by pupils and staff.
- If it is advised, reintroduce an asymptomatic testing site (ATS) at the school (Secondary). For Primary schools, signposting to testing centres will take place.
- Work with the director of public health (DPH) on any further support needed regarding testing
- For Secondary Schools, if on-site asymptomatic testing is reintroduced, there may be disruption to on-site schooling while the necessary control measures and logistics are arranged: this will be minimised and any students requiring to be off-site to facilitate that will have high-quality remote learning in place.
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An outbreak will be considered active if 3 children or staff (10%) in a single class/ club test positive within 10 days OR 5 cases within 10 days which could mean that COVID is spreading within that group of children.
- Local Public Health/ BCC will be notified of positive cases through submission of the checklists for schools
- Firs staff will signpost parents to local PCR testing sites and how to obtain Lateral Flow Testing Kits via school website and regular communications.
- Testing for children is not currently happening in Primary school settings.
- Staff are encouraged strongly advised and to continue to take LFD Tests twice weekly on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.
- In the event of an outbreak or contact with a positive case staff who are fully vaccinated are advised to wear masks in communal areas of school, take additional LFD tests (on a daily basis) and book a PCR test if they are a significant close contact.
- Staff who are not vaccinated will need to follow advice from Test and Trace/ PHE/ 119 helpline
- Children will receive blended learning in line with the Remote Learning Policy (website)
- Staff in contact with someone who has tested positive but are fully vaccinated are advised to LFT for 7 days
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2. Face Coverings
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If recommended, our young people, staff and visitors who are not exempt from wearing a face covering:
- This will be communicated clearly and in timely fashion to all stakeholders.
- Will be asked to keep on or put on a face covering when arriving at school and moving around indoors in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as in communal areas
And/or:
- Should be asked to wear a face covering in classrooms or during activities, unless social distancing can be maintained or a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity
- In some circumstances, transparent face coverings, which may assist communication with someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate, can also be worn. Transparent face coverings may be effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
- Face visors or shields can be worn by those exempt from wearing a face covering but they are not an equivalent alternative in terms of source control of virus transmission.
- No young person will be denied education on the grounds of whether they are, or are not, wearing a face covering.
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In the event of an outbreak or increase in positive cases in school the following will be re-introduced:
- Staff will be expected to wear masks in communal areas of school.
- Parents may be asked to wear face coverings when dropping off and picking up children from school.
- Visitors to school will be asked to wear face masks at all times.
- Primary aged children will not be required to wear masks in the classroom.
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3. Shielding
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In the event of an outbreak, our academies will need to adhere to national guidance on the reintroduction of shielding, liaising with the Director of People on the following:
- Introduce additional protective measures in school for individuals required to shield
- Consider home working for members of staff requiring to shield
- Consider remote learning offer for pupils unable to attend school due to shielding (see link to policy in section 1 above).
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- ECV pupils list to be reviewed and updated regularly in line with government guidance.
- Staff ECV list to be updated as needed.
- Home working/ Adjusted roles or duties - including online teaching/interventions to take place where appropriate.
- Pregnant members of staff will have individual risk assessments and these will be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in COVID rates in school and the local community
- Children will receive blended learning in line with the Remote Learning Policy (website)
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4. Other Measures including ‘bubbles’
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- Parents, carers, pupils and staff should be informed promptly about the introduction of control measures.
- Decisions will be made and communicated in relation to the potential limiting of: visits, i.e. residential educational visits etc.; open days; transition or taster days; parents coming into school; live performances.
- If recommended, our academies will be ready to reintroduce ‘bubbles’. If this is the case, there may be disruption to on site schooling while the necessary measures and logistics are arranged: this will be minimised and any students requiring to be off-site to facilitate that will have high-quality remote learning in place (see policy link in section 1).
Cleaning – (In addition to existing robust cleaning regimes)
Following the identification of the person with COVID-19 symptoms, clean and disinfect:
· All surfaces that the symptomatic person has come into contact with, including objects which are visibly contaminated with body fluids; and
· All potentially contaminated high-contact areas such as toilets, door handles, telephones, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells
- Heads of Academy will consult with the Director of Estates in relation to any further site related actions and the Director of People in relation to any impact on colleagues. Any financial repercussions will be raised with the Director of Finance.
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- If recommended bubbles reintroduced and stricter distancing policies re-introduced
- Revert to staggered times for entry and exit.
- Revert to individual toilet use
- Revert to lunch time rota
- No large gatherings – all assembles will be virtual
- Cancellation of trips/open days/performances will be considered on an individual basis and parents will be informed as soon as practical- this may be at short notice.
- All non-essential visitors to school will be reviewed and cancellation may take place.
- Deep clean of the class/equipment/ or any areas of school linked with the group affected by the outbreak.
- Cleaning practice and procedures reviewed
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5. Attendance Restrictions
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Attendance restrictions will only be recommended as a last resort. If recommended, implement the measures in this section:
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5.1 Eligibility to remain in school
If restrictions are recommended, academies will stay open for as many students as can be safely taught on site. Academies will stay open for vulnerable young people and the children of critical workers, and then give priority to those with external examinations if restrictions allow.
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- Government guidance will be used to distinguish criteria for critical workers.
- If vulnerable pupils do not attend school, DSLs allocated to complete risk assessment and make regular contact/visits where appropriate.
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5.2 Education and support for pupils at home
- All pupils required to stay at home will receive remote education in line with their academy’s commitment to quality and quantity.
- The academies will continue to provide parcels or vouchers for young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals while they are not attending school because of COVID-19 isolation guidelines.
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- Parents to be contacted to ask if they would like food parcels and arrange collection from the school. (As per previous lockdown)
- If the numbers of children at home increase to levels that food parcels are not practical we will consult with the CEO/ EHT and Catering team re the move to issuing vouchers
- If a whole bubble or school closure, remote education to take place with daily recorded sessions for pupils and schedule of class work in line with gov expectations.
- Individual isolating pupils will receive remote education, a device if required and available and regular contact with a staff member.
- Pupils who require ICT equipment will be contacted and arrangements for collection made.
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5.3 Wraparound care
- Access to wraparound care during term time and the summer holidays will be offered to those that need it most.
- Eligibility to attend will be communicated once the restrictions are confirmed.
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- Breakfast club will continue as long as staffing allows for this to open safely.
- In the event of an outbreak children will be placed into phase or family groupings and asked to socially distance so that contacts are more easily identifiable.
- After school clubs are limited to children in the same classes currently
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5.4 Safeguarding
- The addenda to Safeguarding policies within the Trust put into effect during the pandemic will be re-utilised : they will be reviewed for any possible amendments caused by the particular circumstances of the outbreak. This will be undertaken in conjunction with the Trust Safeguarding Lead and Heads of Academy or their designated colleagues.
- Procedures for the absence of vulnerable students established during the pandemic will be reutilised to include:
- Speak to parents/carers and, where appropriate, social workers and the local authority, to work out the reason for absence
- Encourage attendance
- Ensure vulnerable pupils can access appropriate education and support while at home
- Maintain contact, and check regularly that the pupil is able to access remote education provision
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- There are 7 DSL trained staff available to support families.
- In the unlikely event that a DSL cannot be on site, they are able to be contacted by mobile phone.
- Safeguarding/ Vulnerable families list is regularly reviewed and RAG rated to identify families in need of additional support
- A risk assessment will take place for vulnerable pupils that do not attend and a DSL will be allocated, additional to class teacher contact, to check in with child and family in the appropriate format.
- Home visits will be completed if we are unable to maintain regular contact with children and if safe to do so vulnerable children will be encouraged to attend school.
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