Bridgelea Primary SchoolCovid-19 Information
For the most up to date Covid-19 guidance and advice from Manchester City Council please click here.
Here’s what you need to know on going back to school.
There are three key changes:
1. Mixing and ‘bubbles’
Keeping pupils or students in year group or classroom bubbles to reduce mixing is no longer a requirement.
2. Tracing close contacts
Close contacts will now be identified via NHS Test and Trace. Education settings are no longer expected to undertake contact tracing.
3. Face coverings
Face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas.
So, what will stay the same?
Coronavirus hasn’t gone away so there will still be a need for schools, pupils and students to follow basic measures to avoid the spread of the virus:
- Testing remains important in reducing the risk of transmission of infection within schools.
- Ensuring good hygiene including frequent and thorough hand cleaning and the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.
- Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes.
- Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated.
- Following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
But what if there are a number of cases in one school or college?
If there are a number of cases in one school or college, there is advice in place so teachers and staff know what to do.
Schools and colleges will do everything they can to minimise the impact on education and attendance, so might decide to introduce measures like:
- Increased testing
- Temporarily reintroducing face coverings and;
- Restricting attendance as a short-term measure and only as a last resort.
What if someone tests positive or has symptoms? Do they need to isolate?
Self-isolate straight away and get a PCR test (a test that is sent to the lab) on GOV.UK as soon as possible if you have any of these 3 symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
You should also self-isolate straight away if:
- you've tested positive for COVID-19 either according to a PCR test or a lateral flow device test – this means you have the virus. If you get a positive LFD test you should book a PCR test. A negative PCR test will override a positive LFD test.
- someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive (unless you are not required to self-isolate – see below if this applies to you)
- you've been told to self-isolate following contact with someone who tested positive – find out what to do if you're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app.
Pupils should only self-isolate if they have symptoms or if they get a positive PCR or Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test.
If they develop symptoms or get a positive LFD test they should book a PCR test. A positive PCR test cannot be overridden. If a pupil is asked to get a PCR test as a result of contact with a positive case they may continue to attend education until they get the result of their PCR back.
And what will happen for people who have been in contact with positive cases?
Individuals are not required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply:
- they are fully vaccinated
- they are below the age of 18 years and 6 months
- they have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- they are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.
Instead, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, informed they have been in close contact with a positive case and advised to take a PCR test. They do not need to isolate while awaiting the PCR test. We would encourage all individuals to take a PCR test if advised to do so.
Staff who do not need to isolate, and children and young people aged under 18 years 6 months who usually attend school, and have been identified as a close contact, should continue to attend school as normal.
If none of the above applies, people should self-isolate as per the instructions from NHS Test and Trace.
Resources to support your messages to parents about September :
- A blog on what pupils and their families can expect when they return to school and college this September. This answers some common questions and explains some of the changes pupils will notice this term.
- Parent FAQ leaflets for early years, primary, secondary and FE settings to share with parents and answer any questions about the return.
- Guidance on GOV.UK explaining what parents and carers need to know about attending schools and colleges in 2021.
- Additionally, don’t forget about our website for parents listing the extra support available to help any pupils catch up on lost learning or boost their wellbeing.
Covid Support Bridgelea
- Face to face learning: https://youtu.be/NSwpCeLMcjA
- Remote learning: https://youtu.be/7snZvS3-2zI
School Support
- Deputy Head/SENCO: Kelly Eyre kelly.eyre@bridgelea.manchester.sch.uk 07739868066
- SENCO: Serina Wain (Maternity Cover) 07712 530464 senco@bridgelea.manchester.sch.uk
- Safeguarding Lead: Lisa Shaw 07712 330424 lisa.shaw@bridgelea.manchester.sch.uk
Remote Learning
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An adult from your child’s bubble will contact you every day.
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Your child will learn: reading skills, writing skills, maths skills, PSHE, art, and PE activities will be sent home for your child to access.
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Your child will be invited by the Class Teacher to virtually join their friends for an activity such as an assembly. Please make sure that your child is dressed and supervised by an adult if they attend this virtual class group activity.
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If your child has interventions in school, a member of the team will deliver these remotely with your child. They will contact you to arrange a suitable time to do these. Any equipment that is needed for these will be delivered by the home learning team.
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Children have log-ins for Purple Mash. Times Tables Rock Stars, Active Learn, and My Maths to support their learning online. If you have any problems with logins please email admin@bridgelea.manchester.sch.uk.
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Free School Meal vouchers will be delivered to families who are eligible. Please make sure you are in to sign for these otherwise they won’t be delivered until the following week.
In school, face to face education offer :
- Children attend school from 9am till 2pm.
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The full curriculum offer will be available to children.
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Lunches will be provided in school as normal.
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Transport arrangements are currently the same but could be subject to change dependant on transport’s risk assessment.
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Parents who are collecting their children are now required to wear a face covering. Be mindful of social distancing when collecting your child. There are markers in the car park to support you with this. Please be mindful of social distancing when speaking to the adult who brings out your child.
Hygiene
- Remind children in your bubble to wash hands and keep their hands away from their face. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
- Please limit the toys or objects that children bring into school. Encourage children to only bring in a coat and lunch bag (if on packed lunch). Everything else they need will be provided in school.
- For children on transport they can still bring their ipad/phone to use and these will be put in a zip wallet each morning.
Get mental health support by text message
The SHOUT text messaging service gives free, confidential mental health support by text message, and is now available to people of all ages in Greater Manchester who are in crisis.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss the above points or any other questions you may have.
Thank you
Bridgelea Senior Leadership Team