COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR HALF-TERM

Covid-19 Information for Half-Term

Important COVID Reminder

Should a member of your household display any of the 3 main COVID symptoms: a high temperature, loss of taste/smell, new and persistent cough, DO NOT use the home Lateral Flow Test (LFT) but arrange a PCR test at a test centre.

As a household, you MUST all isolate until the results of the PCR test are received. Please do not send siblings to school. If you choose not to arrange a PCR test, then your son and household must isolate for 10 days.

The LFT’s are only to be used as part of the twice-weekly government recommended testing for anyone who is not displaying any symptoms and on boys in Years 7 and above.

 

Positive Tests during Half-Term

The school is responsible for assisting in identifying close contacts for the first 2 full days of the half-term if pupils or staff either

  • Test positive for Covid-19 having developed symptoms within 2 days of being in school, or
  • Test positive on the confirmatory PCR test following a positive lateral flow test as part of the asymptomatic twice-weekly home testing, within 2 days of being in school (Years 7 & 8, and staff only)

This is because the individual may have been infectious whilst in school. If your son tests positive for Covid-19 between the end of term and 00:01 on Monday 31st May (the two full days being Saturday and Sunday), please inform the school by emailing Mrs Purdie.

 

Foreign Travel during Half-Term

If you are travelling abroad during the half-term, you can find the latest quarantine and testing rules for returning to the UK from countries on the Red, Amber or Green lists here. If your son will be absent from school due to needing to quarantine on his return please complete a Leave of Absence request form. We ask for your support in adhering to the rules regarding entry into the UK in order to help keep our school community as safe as possible.

We are aware that some families are providing quarantine facilities in their homes for overseas friends and relatives during half-term, and we are very grateful to them for contacting us and seeking clarity on how this impacts their son’s ability to attend school. Information on how your guests from Amber list countries should safely quarantine can be found here. If your son and your household will be mixing and socialising with your visitors during quarantine then we ask that your son does not attend school until the 10 day quarantine period is complete. If this applies to your son, please complete a Leave of Absence request form.

 

Twice-Weekly Rapid Home Testing for Year 7 & 8

We are grateful for your continued support with this. The government advises that testing at home continues throughout the half-term and that a test is performed prior to your son returning to school. Should your son test positive using the lateral flow test at home then a confirmatory PCR must be arranged either by calling 119 or by booking online.