17.3.2020

Dear Parents,

I’m sure you are aware that the government response to coronavirus changed yesterday.

Please see latest advice below :

• Anyone with a new persistent cough or high temperature should stay at home and self-isolate for at least 14 days along with other members of the household
• Schools should remain open and should only close if advised to by Public Health England

Actions to take if you are concerned that a member of your household has Coronavirus:

• If any member of your household has the symptoms outlined above call the school office to inform us of the absence and isolate your child for 14 days.
• Consult the 111 corona virus service for further advice on the link below

                        https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/    

Call 111 , but only if you cannot get help online

• Children should only be kept off school if they are self isolating or following NHS 111 advice.

The Department for Education has also launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.Coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

In addition please ensure that you encourage your child to regularly wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds or more.

What does this mean for schools?

• On Government advice schools continue to be open and here at Tipton Green we are ensuring your children continue to get high quality care and learning.
• We are encouraging children to wash their hands regularly.
• Our Senior Leadership team meet daily to monitor the situation and discuss further actions that may need to be taken.
• Additional cleaning of regularly touched surfaces is undertaken.

Until further notice and while schools remain open we have been forced to cancel several events. These are listed below:

• Parents’ evenings
• All assemblies including class assemblies.
• The Year 5 performance
• School trips (except swimming, which will currently continue as normal)
• Choir

We will endeavour to reinstate these events as soon as possible after Easter Break.