We have received an update from the Wessex Learning Trust regarding Coronavirus and current protocols to follow. At this time, all schools within the trust remain open. We will keep  you updated and let you know should and when this advice changes. 

Many thanks in anticipation of your support 

Coronavirus Contingency Planning: Advice for staff and learners   9/3/2020

Symptoms of Coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu

Action:

1. Staff must inform the Head / Head of School if they have been to an infected area

The Head / Head of School / Executive Head must record this with Keith Perry, who will keep a database so that the Trust can analyse risk and decide action that should be taken

2. The member of staff and the school must keep a watchful eye for symptoms of Coronavirus and take action as detailed below if that becomes a serious concern.

(Schools should also know who the staff and learners are with underlying health issues such as those people who are older, those with weakened immune systems and people who have underlying chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes or heart disease and risk assess the current situation for them)

3. The same process applies to learners. This must be recorded and sent to Keith Perry and the same watchful eye applies with action to be taken

4. Each school should risk assess any trips or visits, especially those to highly infected areas. Please check the UK government web site for up to date information

5. Staff and learners are not encouraged to travel to infected areas at Easter. This is moral duty of care to the member of staff as well as the consideration for all staff and learners rather than a statutory instruction. Government instruction in the forthcoming days may make this more of a directive

6. Learners should be given instruction on effective hygiene (as detailed below) through class discussion / assemblies etc

7. Staff should likewise be given clear guidance in the same processes. This must include the washing of hands effectively for 20 seconds regularly and not shaking hands with people

8. Telephone ear and mouth pieces should be cleaned and sanitised, regularly

9. Computers keyboards should be cleaned and sanitised, regularly

10. Door handles and any keypads etc should be cleaned and sanitised, regularly

In the case of contagion:

1. Members of staff and learners must follow the Public Health England advice:

• Use the 111 coronavirus service.
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• Call 111 if they need to speak to someone.
• Self isolate using the instructions below.
• They MUST NOT come to school.

2. Inform Keith Perry

3. Record learner absence as ‘absence due to extreme circumstances’

4. Staff will be paid as normal if they need to self-isolate, but Keith Perry must be told

5. In the case of a severe impact on staffing the Trust will consider moving staff around to cover schools that may be severely impacted on, as long as there is no risk to staff. If a school becomes ‘badly infected’ the Head / Executive Head must inform Keith Perry.  In that situation the Trust may consider a temporary whole school closure and a deep clean of that school

6. The Trust may instruct schools to cease gatherings of learners such as assemblies and other activities, especially those which involve the interaction of outside speakers, peripatetic sports staff and peripatetic music teachers

7. The Trust may instruct parental events to be postponed including parents evenings and other functions

8. In the case of SATS, GCSE, BTEC and A Level examinations the Trust is keeping a watchful eye on guidance from the government which may consider the delaying of examinations. However contingency plans are being made by the Trust which include the sourcing of alternative venues and additional invigilators

Dealing with Corona Virus

9th March 2020

The Wessex Learning Trust has issued the following statement

The Trust are taking seriously the risk of this virus and wish to reassure its parents, learners and communities that action is being taken and contingency plans are in place.

• We have issued hygiene instructions to our staff and given our learners advice on how to avoid catching or spreading the virus
• We have issued instructions to keep cleaning common areas of where infection can be passed on, eg door handles etc
• We are aware of those learners and staff with underlying health factors and we will be monitoring and risk assessing the situation for them in the forthcoming weeks
• If you are a parent or carer that has recently visited one of the high risk areas please can you let us know via your school. We also would advise not travelling to such areas in the future, including in the Easter holidays, until the UK government tell us otherwise
• Contingency plans are in place for a spread of the virus in our Trust schools, including the taking of examinations. We will be following Government advice as it is issued

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into school
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• Avoid putting your hands directly in your mouth and eyes

• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

How to self-isolate if you're asked to

If there's a chance you could have coronavirus, you may be asked to stay away from other people.

This means you should:

• stay at home
• not go to school, or work or go to public places
• not use public transport or taxis
• ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
• Avoid visitors to your home – it's OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
• You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection.

Check if you need medical help: Use the 111 coronavirus service

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if:

• you think you might have coronavirus
• in the last 14 days you've been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice online (gov.uk) for travellers
• you've been in close contact with someone with coronavirus