With the return to school for the autumn term, and in anticipation of the customary outbreaks of respiratory illnesses, D&V and other childhood illnesses when the children all get back together, we felt it timely to provide you with information on the infection control measures and resources at your disposal.

We’ve been asked by the Health Protection Hub to share some information with you on health-related issues – when your child should and shouldn’t attend school.

Advice for parents

The NHS has some good information for you to looks at here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

It’s fine to send your child to school or nursery with a minor cough or common cold if they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature. But if your child has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better, and the fever has resolved.

If they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.

It is no longer recommended that children and young people are routinely tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional. But if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test. Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.

Vaccines provide the best protection against many common but potentially serious illnesses. Over the past decade, fewer children are getting routine vaccines, putting them at risk of serious disease. This leaves schools vulnerable to outbreaks and increases pressure on the NHS.  If your child is up to date with their NHS vaccination schedule, they will already be protected against diseases like whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella throughout their school career, as most provide lifelong immunity.  Unvaccinated children are at higher risk of contracting these illnesses and having more severe symptoms than vaccinated classmates. They can also spread diseases to others. Check your child’s red book or contact your GP surgery to ensure they are up to date on all vaccines.

Good hygiene also stops infections from spreading, which means less disrupted learning time.  You can help by teaching your child to wash hands properly for 20 seconds, use tissues for coughs and sneezes, and stay away from others when sick. Letting in fresh air can also reduce the spread of airborne viruses.

If you are unsure, please do call the office and the ladies will try their best to advise or seek advice from the team in the Health Protection Hub.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook

Headteacher