COVID-19 Updates

PLEASE CHECK THIS PAGE REGULARLY FOR UPDATES REGARDING COVID-19

Updated 10^th March 2021

NHS Test and Trace: COVID-19 testing for staff and students

We are working to keep our school as safe as possible.  One way of doing this is using the quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.  We will be testing all staff and students who want to participate from week commencing 8 March 2021.

Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and students to remain in school safely.  Up to one third of people who have coronavirus experience no symptoms.  By testing we will help to stop the virus spread and help to keep our school open as safely as possible.  The test is voluntary, but we would encourage everyone to take it.

Those taking the test will be supervised by trained staff.  The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of the nose and throat. For under 18s, staff can oversee the swab process.

Results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with staff and students participating.  Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be informed.

We know these tests work – in validation studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, they were shown to be as accurate in identifying a case as a PCR test (99.68% specificity). The tests have lower sensitivity but they are better at picking up cases when a person has higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.

If you initially did not consent for your child to participate in the COVID Testing and you now wish your child to have a test, then please email the following address with the subject title COVID Testing Consent:  admin@jfs.brent.sch.uk

HOW ARE THE TESTS ADMINISTERED?

Students administer the test themselves. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to guide students. Please talk your child through the instructions CLICK HERE to see how to undertake the test and ensure that they are familiar with the process.  Students will need to register their tests on the NHS portal and will be invited to use their smartphones to register.  School devices will be available for those who do not have access to smartphones. Staff and volunteers will be available to help those who need assistance.

Registration of the test takes place at: https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/register-kit and students will need their date of birth, email address and telephone number when registering.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO TAKE A TEST?

Whilst testing is voluntary, we would ask that as many people as possible participate in the testing as this is the best way to keep the school Covid secure.  If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they should not take part in this testing and they should not attend school until their year group has returned to on-site lessons.

FUTHER TESTING

There will be further testing at JFS taking place between Thursday 11th March and Tuesday 16th March .  Following this, students will be asked to complete any further tests at home.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

We will retain the current timings of the school day until the end of term on Tuesday 23^rd March.  The only change will be the timings for the end of period 5 to enable staggering at the end of the school day.

REDUCING THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION

It is important that students remember that even though school is reopening, significant risks remain and most staff are not yet vaccinated.   In order to ensure a safe environment, the structures that were in place in the Autumn term will remain in place.

• All students will continue to line up outside in their designated year group areas in the morning and for years 7-9 at the end of lunch break.
• Students must remain in their designated class zones and follow the marked routes for their year group.
• Students will be required to continue to clean desks and use hand sanitiser regularly, particularly when arriving at school, when entering new classrooms and after breaks.
• The requirement to wear masks inside the building now extends to inside classrooms as well. It is even more important that students have several clean masks with them and change them regularly during the day.  I know this is a challenge and hope that we will be able to remove this requirement as soon as the government permits.

UNIFORM

Although it is not quite summer, students may wear summer uniform if they find this more comfortable.  Students may also wear plain grey/navy/black sweatshirts as well as their school jumpers if they prefer this as additional layers.  This will be in place until the end of the Spring term.

Please note that the windows in class are expected to remain open to assist with ventilation.  Please do support us by ensuring that the students are wearing full school uniform as this will assist in allowing us to focus on the student’s reintegration and reconnection with onsite schooling.

 WELLBEING AND SUPPORT

Our wellbeing and pastoral support teams will be on hand to look after students.  We recognise that this has been a difficult period of time and affected students in different ways.

If you have specific concerns about your child that you think that the year team is not yet aware, please be in touch over the coming week.

We communicate daily with Public Health advisors at both a local and national level.  All school decisions are taken in line with their advice and we have shared all the measures we have in place with them.

Reminder of how to recognise the symptoms of COVID-19.  The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature and/or
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

Common Cold and COVID Symptoms

Please can I ask all parents to keep this in mind and if you have any doubt, arrange a test via:

Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app

Latest guidance from Brent Public Health in regards to what to do if you or anyone in your household develops COVID-19 symptoms.

Government Publications to parents/guardians – When you should book a coronavirus test for your child