Drighlington Primary School

With regard to Covid, we now know that:

• If anyone in our school develops Covid symptoms, however mild, the Government states that we should still send them home and ask them to follow public health advice.
• Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and get a PCR test, and remain in isolation until the result comes back.
• At the moment, double-jabbed individuals and under 18s who are identified as close contacts will be advised to book a PCR test as soon as possible and can order a PCR home test online, call 119, or go to a test site.
• As double-jabbed people identified as close contacts are still at risk of being infected, people are advised to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limit contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable. They will not be required to self-isolate while they wait for the results of the PCR test.
• Double-vaccinated adults will no longer be required to self-isolate, as long as they received their final dose of an MHRA-approved vaccine in the UK vaccination programme at least 14 days prior to contact with a positive case.
• Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to self-isolate, irrespective of their vaccination status or age in order to break onward chains of transmission.
• Bubbles will no longer exist; if a child or adult tests positive then he or she will most likely be the only one to isolate; other family members will not usually isolate under the new rules.
• We ask that all families notify us immediately if they are aware of positive test results.
• Please remember that lateral flow home tests are for adult use only.
• If you are worried about a child with symptoms, or if we send your child home for a test, you must book a PCR test.
• Hand washing and sanitising before setting off to school is still a good idea and will continue in school.
• We will do all we can to keep good ventilation in classrooms in line with government guidance.
• The ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach continues to be very important – please explain it to your child, or children.
• Face coverings will be optional, but we encourage adults to wear them when talking to staff because the government recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces or where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. 
• We expect our families to drop off and pick up, keeping a safe distance from others and communicating most of their messages to teachers through ClassDojo (please respect staff evening, weekend time - to promote a healthy work/life balance we ask teachers not to respond to messages after 6pm).

Please also bear in mind that this guidance may change at any time. If so, we will inform everyone as soon as possible.

We know that we need to work together to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please email info@drighlingtonprimary.org.uk