Welcome back to school! We hope that you had a restful half-term break and are ready for a busy term full of fantastic learning opportunities.

Unfortunately, over the break, we have heard about further rises in cases of Covid-19 within the community. While some cases have been mild, sadly, there have also been increases in both hospital admissions and deaths within Gloucestershire. You will have received a letter with information about additional measures which we are putting in place to help keep everyone safe at school. This letter, and the updated Risk Assessment, can be found on our website. Click here for access.

PCR Tests

Anyone who has any symptoms of Covid-19 should book a PCR test as soon as possible and must stay away from school to avoid spreading the virus further. We are hearing lots of reports of vomiting being linked with Covid-19. Although this has not been added to the list of recognised symptoms, it is part of the symptom checklist through test and trace. We highly recommend that any child who is experiencing vomiting or a sickness bug should have a PCR test as a precaution. In the early days, the presence of a snotty nose or typical head cold symptoms were used a sign that someone did not have Covid, however, the advice has since moved on and a PCR is advised if any of the following three symptoms are present:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Remember that a PCR should also be taken if you are identified as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive. This is the case for children as well as adults.

Lateral Flow Tests

LFDs are used by adults and children at secondary school to identify asymptomatic cases of Covid-19. Although previously not advised for children under 11, we do know that they have been successfully used to catch positive cases for primary-age children. They are readily available from local pharmacies and can also be ordered online. Remember if symptoms are present then a PCR is needed not an LFD.

We will be carefully monitoring the situation in school, and will be updating our risk assessment in line with any changes to the advice issued for schools. Please take extra care in these uncertain times.