Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School
"Brighter futures built with Ambition, Courage and Respect; filled with Love, Hope and Faith"
Full school closure
Sadly, due to several confirmed cases of Covid 19 and staffing disruption, school will be closed from 4th November 2020 until Monday 9th November.
This decision has not been taken likely and our concern is for the well-being of the entire school community.
Information provided below.
FOR PARENTS OF CLOSE CONTACTS OF COVID 19 at Ribbleton Avenue Methodist junior School – All Parents
Advice for Child to Self-Isolate
Dear Parent,
We have been advised of several confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school.
We have followed the national guidance and have identified that your child may have been in close contact with one of the infected people prior to the October half term. We are also aware of some staffing difficulties as a result of this so as a precaution we have made the decision to close school.
In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stay at home and self-isolate until Saturday 7th November and will be able to return to school on
Monday 9th November 2020 as long as they are well.
We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community.
If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.
Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.
Please see the link to: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119 .
All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period
Please see the link to the PHE ‘Stay at Home’ Guidance:
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Further Information
Further information is available at
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Fran Nickson
Headteacher