There is currently no cause for concern at Pirton Hill Primary School, but clearly this is an ever-changing situation and we are committed to providing the most up-to-date information we can.
School Closure
As directed by the Government, Pirton Hill Primary will close on Friday 20th March for all children except for those children whose parents are "key workers" or pupils who have social care/worker involvement or an EHC Plan.
We are still waiting for specific information from the government but it is likely that "key workers" will include the following groups:
- National Health Service (including paramedics and ambulance drivers)
- Armed forces
- Teachers, school staff and childcare staff
- Care home workers
- Social workers
- Police officers (including community support, civilian staff)
- Prison officers or other probation staff
- Fire Fighters
- Essential delivery drivers (including those involved in delivering and distributing vital supplies to supermarket chains and
food distribution)
If your role is not on this list, please start to make contingency plans for childcare from Monday 23rd March.
We are also waiting for further information about the vouchers for those children entitled to Free School Meals.
The original information regarding the school contingency planning is available to parents / carers below. This will be updated in due course:
No Confirmed Cases
The school is not currently aware of any confirmed cases of coronavirus within our school community. However, with the change in focus of testing for the virus, it is possible that there will be unconfirmed cases in our community. According to government information, this is likely to be the case over the next few weeks.
Therefore, it is very important that we follow the latest government guidance:
- if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.
- if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
- if you 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
- if you have coronavirus symptoms:
- do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
- you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home
- testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home
- plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household
- if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999
If your child is off school with a new, continuous cough and/or high temperature (37.8+ degrees) - or is required to be off school for 14 days due to somebody else in the household showing the symptoms to coronavirus:
- this absence will be authorised
- work will be sent home and there is an expectation that parents will support their child by helping them to complete it.
- children can also access Numbots / TT Rockstars
- children are encouraged to read a book every day
- children should not be out during the school day (including shopping) or socialising with friends (including at the park) in after school
Social Distancing
The government are now recommending that everyone puts social distancing measures in place. These include:
- Avoiding large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs.
- Avoiding gatherings with friends and family.
Therefore, all non-essential school events will be postponed for next few weeks. These include: Toddler Time, Mother's Day Afternoon Tea and end of term Wows. We will keep you updated on other events which may be impacted.
The government are also now recommending that the following groups take stringent measures to distance themselves socially; this could be for up to 12 weeks:
- Those over the age of 70
- Those under the age of 70 with certain underlying health conditions (see the link below)
- Those who are pregnant
For more information click here
How to Prevent the spread of infection
Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:
- Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- If you feel unwell, stay at home and don’t attend work or school
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home
- If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment