Update 15th january 2021

Dear families

I hope you and your families are as well as can be expected in the present circumstances. Thank you for your continued support and for working in partnership with us to ensure that we respond to all situations carefully and with consideration for the health of our community.

I know all of the staff are missing those children who are not in school right now and I hope our regular contact with all families is providing you with all of the support you require during this time.

During this period when school is closed, I intend to write to you all at least once each week to provide updates from Lark Hall.

In this letter I want to particularly highlight a number of actions to take if children or household members show symptoms of coronavirus or receive a positive coronavirus test result. I hope you find this guide useful. These actions are designed to ensure our whole community keeps as safe as possible.

Of importance is the need to continually check to see if your child is feeling unwell, seek a test for coronavirus if your child develops symptoms and keep the school informed at all times.

What if a child develops symptoms of Coronavirus

• The child must not come to school.
• The child should have a test as soon as possible.
• The whole household should self-isolate while waiting for the result of the test.
• The whole family should not go out.
• The school should be informed immediately about the symptoms and the result of the test.

What if a child has tested positive for Coronavirus

• The child must not go to school
• The child should self-isolate for 10 full days from when their symptoms started (or from the day they took the test if they did not show symptoms).
• The whole household should self-isolate for 10 full days from the date the child’s symptoms started while waiting for the result of the test and should not go out (or from the day they took the test if they did not show symptoms).
• The whole family should not go out.
• The school should be informed immediately about the result of the test.

What if someone else in the household has symptoms of Coronavirus

• The child must not come to school.
• The household member with symptoms should have a test as soon as possible.
• The whole household should self-isolate while waiting for the result of the test.
• No member of the family should attend school or work whilst waiting for the result of the test.

What if someone else in the household has tested positive for Coronavirus

• The child must not come to school.
• The whole household should self-isolate for 10 full days from the date that the person with the positive test started having symptoms (or from the day they took the test if they did not show symptoms) even if anyone else in the household has tested negative during those 10 days.

The school has identified a child as a close contact of a person with coronavirus – as part of a class or bubble at school

• The child must not come to school.
• The child should self-isolate for 10 full days.
• If a child develops symptoms they should have a test and the school should be informed immediately about the result of this test.
• The rest of the household does not need to self-isolate unless their child goes on to develop symptoms.

NHS Test and Trace has identified a child as a close contact of a person with coronavirus outside of school

• The child must not come to school.
• The child should self-isolate for 10 full days.
• If a child develops symptoms they should have a test.
• The should continue to self-isolate even if they test negative during those 10 days.
• The rest of the household does not need to self-isolate unless they have also been in contact with the positive case or their child goes on to develop symptoms. 

Schools Closed until February Half Term

I want to reiterate that on January 4th, the Government announced schools will remain closed for most children until after half term break in February, with the initial date for reopening being Monday 22nd February. In terms of this date being on track, no doubt the Government will provide an update closer to this time and I will keep you informed of this.

Of course, if your child has been attending school since the start of this term then they carry on attending throughout this term.

That's it from me. In the meantime, if there is anything else myself or a member of the team can do to help and support you during this time, please do not hesitate to get in touch in the usual ways.

Best wishes

Gary Nichol

Head Teacher