Dear Parent/Carer,
We have had our first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 this morning. The student (year 10) in question has not attended school since last Friday, 4 September 2020, was tested on Monday and received the positive result this morning. Due to the time elapsed from Friday, Public Health England have advised us that the risk of transmission is now low and deteriorating rapidly. PHE have also advised us that no other students need to self-isolate unless they start to show symptoms or were in close contact with the student over the weekend. We are bound by statutory guidance to take advice from PHE and, therefore, hope you understand the decision that has been taken is in line with that advice.
Our immediate thoughts are with the student and their family and we wish them a speedy recovery.
I fully anticipate that this will be the start of an ongoing scenario where community, staff and student cases appear and, whilst I fully appreciate the level of concern around yourselves and your children, I sincerely ask you not to phone school based around rumours or social media commentary. PHE advice and our view is no student needs to be absent from school, however if you have specific concerns around a child with underlying health issues/medical conditions please contact the Assistant Achievement Leader for further clarification.
As throughout this pandemic, we have communicated with you frequently and in a timely manner, and we will continue to do this, even on a daily basis should it be necessary. We have very robust systems and structures at school and we are as confident as we can be that the levels of hygiene and safety procedures are robust and effective as possible.
All of our decisions will always take into consideration the safety and welfare of all our staff, students, families and wider community.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mr S Huntington
Executive Principal