Warn and Inform Letter – 4th January 2022

Update from the Headteacher – 10th December 2021

COVID-19 LFD Testing and Plan B Update

On Wednesday 8th December, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of Plan B. School attendance remains mandatory and all the usual rules continue to apply. Enabling children and young people to attend their education setting regularly continues to be a national priority. Face coverings should be worn by all students, staff and visitors in communal areas, unless exempt. Staff and students must also wear a face covering when travelling on public transport and should wear it on dedicated transport to and from school. If your child is exempt then we will issue them with a pass so that they are not challenged throughout the school day. You can let us know by contacting the school office on either 01925 636414 or info@boteler.org.uk We currently have 6 positive cases taking us to a total of 76 cases since the beginning of the year. We really want all of our students to enjoy the Christmas break and not have to isolate so please ensure you test twice weekly, we recommend a Sunday and a Wednesday. I will communicate out next week about the return arrangements for January.

Mrs Scott-Herron

 

Update from the Headteacher, 30th November 2021

Dear Parents and Carers

As you are aware and though my correspondence yesterday, the Government announced that, in light of the new “Omicron” variant, staff and students are expected to wear face coverings on public transport and in communal areas again.

We would therefore appreciate your support in making sure all students bring face coverings to school with them and wear them as directed by staff. Unfortunately, despite the email and text that went yesterday there were a huge number of students who turned up to school without a face covering. However, we were prepared so we could give students face coverings on arrival as we want everyone to be as safe as possible. However, we cannot afford to do this every day. Therefore, please ensure that you supply your child with a face covering and if you are struggling to do this then please let us know.

Students will not need to wear face coverings in classrooms or outside, but will otherwise be expected to wear them on buses and inside the school buildings at all times. If your child is exempt from wearing a face covering and you have not already made school aware, then please email info@boteler.org.uk  as we will provide your child with an exemption pass and lanyard so they are not challenged.

The Government has said it will review the situation in three weeks’ time, which means this will be in place until Christmas at least. I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind you of some other key points:

• Students should still be taking lateral flow (LFD) tests twice weekly (we recommend on Wednesday and Sunday). This is a very important measure in helping to identify asymptomatic cases and keep these out of the school environment where they could spread it to others.
• Anybody displaying COVID symptoms at any point should self-isolate and book a PCR test. Please do let us know if you have symptoms.
• If there is a positive case within the household, students should take an LFD test for each day of the isolation period of the household case.

Unfortunately, we will not be running our Senior Citizens Christmas Party this year because of the COVID risk. Therefore, our students will be going to all the Care Homes to sing for the residents outside so they can watch /participate through the windows. I appreciate it is not the same however, we want them to have some enjoyment as safely as possible.

It is also unlikely that the Advent and Carol Services will go ahead. We have such large numbers that attend these events and I feel we have to be sensible in the current climate.  It is my duty of care to protect my school and wider community to the very best of my ability and therefore I have to make these decisions accordingly.  Please don’t worry, as I will ensure that these events take place, just in a different format. I hope you understand my rationale as these decisions are not easy, I just want everyone to be safe and I also want my families to be able to enjoy Christmas together especially as this was not really possible last year.

Everything else in school can continue as normal and if there are any further changes I will ensure I communicate with you as quickly as possible. Many thanks  for your continued support, it is very much appreciated.