Coronavirus update - advice for parents/carers

Update: 17^th March 2020 at 08:15

The Drive Primary School.  

The safety of our pupils and staff is our number one priority.  The Government’s advice is changing regularly and we continue to monitor the situation closely.  We will continue to provide updates as and when we have them.

At this stage our schools continue to be open in line with the current advice published by the Government and Public Health England for schools and education settings.  The Department for Education (DfE) has advised that no school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless advised to do by Public Health England.  We are monitoring staffing levels to ensure our schools remain safe places for our pupils.

The Government’s advice specifically for schools is that:

• staff, young people and children should stay at home if they are unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature to avoid spreading infection to others, otherwise they should attend education or work as normal
• if staff, young people or children become unwell on site with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature they should be sent home

We may need to change how we operate over the coming weeks, therefore please ensure your contact details are up to date so that school can contact you by text.

With immediate effect: “Stay at home” guidance for households with possible coronavirus

The most common symptoms of coronavirus are the onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature.

If anyone has symptoms of coronavirus infection, however mild, they must stay at home and not leave their house for 7 days from when the symptoms started.  If this applies to you at any stage, please report your absence to your workplace as usual.

If anyone in your household has symptoms, all members of the household must stay at home and not leave their house for 14 days from the day when the first person in the household became ill. 

While you are at home, ensure you:

• follow the NHS stay at home advice
• follow the Government's stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus

Social distancing

As we take on board the Government’s advice about avoiding non-essential social contact and travel we will need to make changes to activities and events.  It is essential that you check school information on a regular basis.

There is specific Government guidance for vulnerable adults

Further advice

We appreciate that this is a worrying time for everyone.  Please contact us if you have any concerns or you feel we can support you in any way.

The Department for Education (DfE) has a helpline to answer questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) related to education.  Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Go to the NHS webpage on the coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself and your family.  Use NHS 111 online to assess any steps you should take; only ring 111 if you do not have internet access.