Coronavirus (COVID-19) Latest updates
13 March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
You may be aware that the government met yesterday to review its response to the Covid-19 virus.
While they confirmed new measures have now been put in place, most importantly the government confirmed that:
- UK schools should remain open and continue to operate normally at this time
Thomas Clarkson Academy will continue to follow the government’s advice and will remain open until we are advised otherwise.
Please ensure you are familiar with the detail of the most up to date Public Health England advice which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Families who may recently have travelled abroad should make absolutely certain they are following the Public Health England guidance for returning travellers.
The government did announce an additional measure for schools that means:
- School trips abroad will not be permitted
Fortunately, we have no trips abroad planned over the next few weeks.
We will continue to update you on the situation as new announcements are made by the government and want to reassure you that the school’s leadership team and the Brooke Weston Trust are preparing for all possible scenarios:
Home learning
We have various online platforms, non-digital resources and guidance to support learning that can be used to provide work to children at home. As you would expect, we are drawing up plans should home learning become necessary. We will explain what is on offer and how to access it at that time.
Domestic trips, school events and sports fixtures
All domestic trips and school events will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will be kept informed of any changes to published events in the school calendar with as much notice as is possible. Public Health England have not yet advised us to cancel sports fixtures, but in accordance with their advice on hand washing, all players, coaching staff and supporters should expect to be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizing gel on arrival and after their fixture.
Advice for all visitors to our school
We have reinforced some basic hygiene principles and introduced additional measures, so please do not take offence if you are asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitizing gel on visiting us. We would also remind visitors of the hygiene message, “catch it, bin it, kill it” in the event of coughing and sneezing. These restrictions are in place to protect our school community.
This is an extraordinary period of time for everyone, including schools, and I want to thank you for you continued patience and understanding in helping to keep our school community as safe as possible.
Yours faithfully
Richard Scott
Principal
12 March 2020
Brooke Weston Trust schools are monitoring the current situation regarding Covid-19 contingency planning carefully and seeking advice from relevant authorities.
Further information will be published tomorrow in light of any decisions taken by Government this afternoon. All further communications will be published via our school websites.
5 March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We continue to monitor and follow the advice of Public Health England in relation to the COVID-19 virus. Personal hygiene continues to be promoted as the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more. We will continue to promote this in school. Please can you discuss the importance of this with your child at home to encourage thorough and frequent hand washing to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses.
There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Washing your hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
- Pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
- before leaving home
- on arrival at school
- after using the toilet
- at breaks and after sporting activities
- before food preparation
- before eating any food, including snacks
- before leaving school
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Thank you for continuing to work with us to safeguard the health of our communities.
26 February 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please be reassured that our school is following the guidance set out by Public Health England (PHE) regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). We strongly recommend that all parents/carers and students familiarise themselves with the guidance. We have instructed all our staff to do likewise. Our aim is that all members of our school communities are well informed and aware how to slow the spread of germs.
The government stance remains that you should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching Coronavirus. There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their school as normal. However we would particularly urge you to read the government advice regarding travellers returning to the UK.
Latest Public Health England Guidance
The latest guidance from Public Health England can be accessed through this link (click here).
Latest NHS information
The latest NHS information about how you can reduce the possible spread of infection can be found below, please check regularly for updates:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Brooke Weston Trust will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any further advice that is released to schools. We understand you may have questions or concerns at this time, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish. Thank you for working with us to safeguard the health of our communities.
Best wishes
Mr Richard Scott
Principal
