29th November 2021 Update
Having had further guidance from Dorset Council and Public Health Dorset, the measures we currently have in place will remain until at least the end of this term. Schools across the South West were asked to ensure enhanced measures were in place after half term; this did not impact our day to day running as we already had our enhanced measures in place (in particular, ensuring very limited contact between bubbles). Their guidance has been updated today and schools have been asked to maintain these enhanced measures until at least the end of term. The statement they issued states;
We have now reviewed these measures with local and regional partners and agree that these measures should be extended until the end of the school winter term on 17 December. Case rates remain highest amongst school aged children, particularly the 10-14 age group, and removing measures too early could lead to cases increasing rapidly again.
We support the continuation of these measures for the following reasons:
· Our local case rates remain significantly above the England average, and are now above the South West average
· Case rates are not coming down quickly, and the decrease is much slower than in other regions
· Across the county, case rates are over 1700 for 0 – 15 year olds
We will continue to review our risk assessments and measures in place as well as inform parents of cases, as appropriate. Thank you for your continued understanding.
If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, they will need to isolate and will need a PCR test (this can be booked via the NHS website).
If your child has a positive lateral flow test (LFT), they will need to isolate and will need a PCR test (this can be booked via the NHS website).
Other members of the household need to isolate only if they have not been fully vaccinated or are advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace; other children in the household are required to continue attending school, unless advised not to by Test and Trace.
General Advice
Please inform the school of any positive case, so we can work together to limit the spread.
‘The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.’ (from the NHS website)
As the pandemic continues, we are regularly reviewing our risk assessments, routines and procedures in line with Government guidance. Changes can happen quickly quickly but we will notify families who may be impacted as quickly as possible, usually via email.
If your child is required to isolate, please inform the school as quickly as possible so that remote learning can be provided and any contacts quickly identified. If you need access to technology or resources to support learning, these can be provided by contacting the school office (office@charmouth.dorset.sch.uk). Mrs Cornish oversees the remote learning, with class teachers setting and responding to learning. Our plans for the use of the Covid Catch Up Premium are outlined in Covid Catch-Up Premium Plan.
Useful links;
NHS website – includes the latest information, advice and links for booking a test
Government website – includes the latest advice as well as recent and upcoming changes
Public Health Dorset website – includes local information and updates as well as advice
A test can be arranged via this NHS link. Please inform the school of the result.
Previous Information
Full Opening from 8th March 2021
Covid Information Autumn Term 2020
Click here to see our welcome back video
September Arrangements Letter 15072020
