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Coronavirus Update 16.03.20

South Witham Academy

Water Lane, South Witham, Lincolnshire, NG33 5PH

Telephone: 01572 767233

Facsimile: 01572 767926

E-mail: enquiries@south-witham.lincs.sch.uk

Executive Headteacher: Mrs S R Milner

Head of School: Mrs E Hill

A stable, stimulating, high quality learning environment

16th March 2020

Dear parents and carers,

I write with regard to the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the actions we are taking to prevent it from

spreading.

As of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in school, across our multi-academy trust or in the county that we

are aware of. We do have several children (at time of writing no staff) who are self-isolating in accordance with the

guidelines issues by Public Health England.

You will no doubt be following the news and considering if school will be remaining open. You may be aware that the

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson is meeting with school leaders today to update us all on the national picture. The

Department for Education have confirmed that no school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-

19 case, unless advised to do so by Public Health England. We will update you if this advice changes. No such advice to

close has been received by school – which continues to remain open.

Today, we have reviewed our Business Continuity Plan and we have plans in place, if our staffing levels decrease, so that

we can continue to provide a safe education for all of our pupils. We will update families on any variations to timetables

or changes to the school day. At this point it is business as usual in all schools.

If anyone becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature in an education setting they

should be sent home and advised to follow the staying at home guidance. This protocol should be followed for a

period of 7 days.

It is our intention to send you a daily update from school via Parent Mail, as the situation progresses, just to ensure any

changes are communicated as accurately and efficiently as possible. These updates will also be posted to our website

Home Page.

The guidance for helping to prevent the spread of infection (of coronavirus and other viruses) includes a strong focus on

hygiene. The actions we are taking are as follows:

asking children and staff to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water at regular and appropriate times of

the day

asking children and staff to cough or sneeze into a tissue, put the tissue in the bin and then wash their hands

suspending whole school assemblies in the hall

To support this, we have ordered and supplied tissues and hand sanitizer for use in school. We have also put relevant

information up around school to inform parents and to remind to children and staff about the focus on hygiene. If you do

visit the school reception area, please do use the hand sanitizer provided upon entry.

If you require any further information the Government have pointed us towards the following online advice:

Updates on COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Guidance for educational settings: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-aboutcovid-

19

List of countries and areas with implications for travellers or visitors:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-

specified-countries-and-areas

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Hand hygiene messages: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-information-campaign-focuses-on-handwashing

Thank you all for your understanding at this time. Any queries should be directed to the school office, in the first instance

although, as noted above, we shall keep you informed each day as the situation develops.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Sharon Milner

Executive Headteacher

Brooke Hill Academy Trust

Brooke Hill Academy

Edith Weston Academy

South Witham Academy

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