Covid Update November 29th 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to you with a further update regarding Covid-19 and additional measures in school which will take effect from Tuesday 30th November 2021.

Please ensure you read the information carefully and contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance should you have any questions.

FACE COVERINGS

Yesterday the government announced that pupils in secondary schools should wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas. This will take effect at Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School from Tuesday 30th November. From tomorrow your child must bring a face covering to school and wear it in corridors and communal areas. Pupils will also be expected to wear them when entering the canteen.

As a school we simply cannot provide face coverings for pupils. Please ensure your child comes to school with a face covering as part of their daily equipment.

If your child is exempt from wearing a face covering he/she must see their Head of House who will issue an exemption pass.

ASSEMBLIES, TRIPS AND END OF TERM EVENTS

From Tuesday 30th November we will cancel assemblies for the next 2 weeks. We do have some end of term events scheduled but we will assess their viability closer to the time and will be guided by any further guidance from the government and PHE.

Scheduled trips and visits will still go ahead unless we are advised to cancel.

MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION

In order to minimise the risk of infection we will not be holding in person meetings with parents unless absolutely necessary. Could I please ask that you do not arrive at school unless you have an appointment or there is a very serious safeguarding issue where a child is in immediate danger.

I would also like to use this opportunity to remind you that if you need to speak to a member of staff, please allow up to 48 hours for a response if it is non-urgent.

TESTING

One of the most effective ways to manage Covid-19 in school is for pupils to carry out lateral flow tests on a regular basis. We have plenty of home testing kits in school and your child can get one from their form tutor.

If your child tests positive on a lateral flow test, please book a confirmatory PCR test and wait until you have the result before sending your child back to school if the result is negative.

If anyone in your household tests positive for the new Omicron variant, the whole household should isolate in accordance with new government guidelines.

We will continue to update you as the situation unfolds. Thank you for your ongoing support.

God Bless

Miss H Burrows

Head Teacher