Last Updated on 13 January 2021
We have been living with the coronavirus pandemic for many months now, and much of the health information related to COVID-19 will be clear to most people. However, if you are unsure about any specific information, we recommend that you visit the government advice website via the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
In order to minimise the risk of any infection spreading in the school, it is very important that all members of the school community follow government advice regarding self-isolation. Regarding this, please read the following guidance carefully.
Self-Isolation Guidance
If a child or member of staff shows symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, they must self-isolate for up to 10 days and arrange to be tested. You can arrange for a test via the NHS self-referral website which can be found on this page: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/... Alternatively, you can also call 119 to arrange a test. Information about which symptoms to look out for can be found in the section below.
If they receive a negative test, they do not need to continue self-isolating, provided that they no longer have a fever and feel well enough to return or have been identified as a contact. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu – in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
If they test positive for COVID-19, they and their household will have to isolate for 10 days from the date of the positive test. Their contacts in school will then be contacted by NHS Test & Trace and will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days from contact with the positive case.
If your child has been identified as contact and are self-isolating, members of your household do not need to self-isolate unless your child develops symptoms themselves, or if you are instructed to by NHS Test & Trace.
It is important that everyone engages with NHS Test & Trace as much as possible if required.
If you have been identified as a contact of a positive case and are self-isolating, you should only apply to take a test if you start to develop symptoms.
If a member of your child's bubble has developed symptoms, your child does not need to self-isolate unless they themselves develop symptoms, the original case tests positive, or if requested to do so by NHS Test & Trace.
The logic is also demonstrated by the following table:
COVID-19 Symptoms
You should book a test and self-isolate if you or your child has any of the following:
- A high temperature.
- A new or continuous cough.
- A loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste.
If your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they or members of your household do not need to self-isolate unless they have been identified as a contact of a confirmed case. Further information can be found in the following download.
