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Dear Parents

COVID-19

It is with regret that I have to inform you of a confirmed case of COVID for one of our students here at Highams Park School.  As you are well aware by this stage, I am duty bound to send you the attached templated letter which reminds you of the key steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of the virus.

However, in summary I would also like to emphasise the following key points in response to some of the discussions that I have had with parents:

  • Each time there is a positive case confirmed for any student or teacher at the school, the sending of this letter will be triggered.  This letter does not mean that the case is from a student in your child’s Year Group.  i.e. This particular case may be for a Year 8 student, but the whole of the school would receive this notification.
  • I would estimate that up to two thirds of the students and staff that we have had to send home as potential “contacts” of those with positive test results, could have been avoided had the advice from the Government been followed!  Repeatedly, students have been sent to school whilst another family member awaits a result from a COVID test.  Please, if someone in your household is unwell or going for a COVID test, please ensure that the whole family remain isolated until the result of that test is known.
  • The impact of one student being in school with a confirmed COVID test result is considerable.  We trace back for the 48 hours prior to the test and have to instruct the students and staff that they have been in contact with, to isolate.  Please help protect the Highams Park School community by isolating while any household member gains a test result.
  • We are finding that test results are coming back very quickly now, sometimes within 24 hours.  One person isolating for at worst, 14 days, is far better than 50+ students and staff isolating for 50 x 14 days = 700 days!
  • Please can I remind you, that we close for the Christmas holiday on Thursday 17th December 2020.  This will be a slightly reduced day for all students whilst we ensure that all Year Groups are able to collect their food and still remain segregated via our staggered finish.  I will write to you again with details of these arrangements, at the end of this week.
  • The new term will commence in January with a teacher training day on the 4th January 2021.  Students will be expected to return to school on the Tuesday 5th January 2021.  Please do keep an eye on the website and parent mail on that Monday.  I am not intending to alter the planned return of the whole school to their lessons on that Tuesday, but will update the website and you by email, should COVID necessitate any amendment.

Finally, can I suggest suitable stocking fillers for all students should include the following: facemasks and hand sanitiser!  Who could wish for anything more!

Yours faithfully

Phil Grundy

General letter to all parents when positive case in school December

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