Newsletters

Dear Parent/Carer,

I would like to extend a very warm welcome back to all of our pupils and families returning to school after a particularly challenging time for us all.

As promised, I am writing to update you on the most recent advice regarding your child’s return to school.

As you are no doubt aware headteachers and their staff have worked tirelessly with Caerphilly County Borough Council to ensure that school environments are compliant with all the latest Welsh Government guidance to make sure your children had a successful and positive return to school after such a long break.

As of Monday 14^th September, all pupils, who can are expected to attend school.

This latest Welsh Government advice can be viewed on their website here https://gov.wales/education-coronavirus

We all need to follow Welsh Government guidelines and be cautious given the recent developments and lockdown in Caerphilly County Borough. We ask for all parents and pupils support particularly regarding following social distancing guidance in school yards, outside of school gates and at bus stops.. Schools have staggered start and finish times to try and alleviate some of the gatherings inside and outside of school sites and to ensure the safety of pupils. This will be reviewed by Headteachers on a regular basis, so no congregating please.

COVID-19 procedures and Contact Tracing

As you are aware, Caerphilly Borough has been placed in lockdown by the Welsh Government.

All schools have carried out risk assessments and have robust procedures in place to help them manage potential positive cases of coronavirus to ensure they remain safe environments for teaching and learning.

If your child develops symptoms at school the Headteachers have been advised to contact you to take them home, self-isolate and to book a test asap.

Please understand Headteachers must be cautious as per Welsh Government guidance. If your child has symptoms, please do not send your child to school.

Where a positive case(s) has been confirmed the head-teacher will establish and identify all close contacts and parents will be advised if their child needs to self- isolate.

Whilst your child is self-isolating school will provide work and free school meals pupils will receive a meal.

If your child tested positive, you will be contacted by the Gwent Contact Tracing Service so they can establish who and where you have been in close contact with and parents will be advised if their child needs to self-isolate.

Whilst there is no requirement for the household to self-isolate, they must if social distancing from the positive case is not possible.

More information about contact tracing and the test, trace, protect procedures can be found on the council’s website https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Services/Coronavirus/How-to-apply-for-a-Covid-19- test-if-you-have-any-s

If your child develops symptoms during self-isolation, please book a test. https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Services/Coronavirus/How-to-apply-for-a-Covid-19- test-if-you-have-any-s

If the result is positive you continue to self-isolate along with you family for the advised time.

If the result is negative self-isolation should continue to the advised date as the virus could be incubating.

If your child develops symptoms at school the Headteachers have been advised to contact you to take them home, self-isolate and to book a test asap.

If there is a positive case on school transport the process is the same and taxi/minibus/bus drivers, chaperone and classroom bubble pupils will be contacted and told to self-isolate.

We all need to work together to manage this very difficult situation.

If your child is ill for any other reason, please ask for and follow medical advice.

Face Coverings

You will no doubt be aware that Welsh Government issued updated advice earlier this week about the use of face coverings in school settings which can be found on their website: -

• Technical Advisory Group – Face coverings - https://gov.wales/technical- advisory-group-face-coverings-children-and-young-people-education-settings

Caerphilly County Borough Council have provided every secondary school pupil and all members of staff with five reusable and adjustable face coverings along with a sealable plastic bag for storage

We are strongly recommending that all secondary school pupils and all staff wear face coverings where social distancing of 2m cannot be maintained and if there is a genuine reason for not doing so.