What is coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.

The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 10 days. This means that if a person remains well 10 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.

The following symptoms may develop in the 10 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

• Persistent cough
• loss of taste or sense of smell
• high temperature

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have been reported in children.

What to do if your child feels unwell

Click on the above link

Critical workers: please check this list. If your child is likely to attend school we may ask to see evidence of your employment.

(The definitions have changed slightly from the original key worker list)

Please note: the government asks that parents in this category should keep their child at home if they are able to do so and access the home learning offer.

Vulnerable Children

We are also required to have children in school who meet the criteria for vulnerable pupils. If you think you meet the criteria,  please have a discussion with us. We are also able to support you and your family if you remain at home.

Foreign Travel

From 17 May, the rules for people arriving in England from abroad are changing. Schools will need to be aware of when a family or household member is returning from foreign travel and the different quarantine rules depending on the RAG rating for that country. Entering the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The following guidance lists the type of quarantine required. How to quarantine when you arrive in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) e.g.

• Green list - you must take a COVID-19 test on day 2
• Amber list - you must quarantine (at home) or the place you’re staying and take 2 COVID-19 tests. Please note, there is an the early release (day 5 test) programme for Amber countries more details here Coronavirus (COVID-19): Test to Release for international travel - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If the guidance states that you may be able to end isolation early through the private 'Test to Release' scheme then you would need to notify us and have evidence (email/written) that this scheme is extended to children as well and that they can be tested. 

On choosing to visit an amber listed country, you must investigate further with the 'Test to Release' scheme who must provide confirmation that this applies to children and young people. If they can provide this, then the child/young person returns to school, if the child is not tested they should not return to school.  Any child/young person that is not tested must continue to isolate for the full 10 days.

• Red list - you must quarantine in a hotel and take 2 COVID-19 tests

Individuals must follow these rules even if they have been vaccinated. Others in the household do not need to isolate unless they travelled with you; you or someone in the place where you’re staying develop symptoms of COVID-19; you get a positive test result for your day 2 or day 8 test.