Information for Parents RE: Covid-19
Update March 2022
Following the recent guidance from the DFE our Risk Assessment has been updated to show the following changes:
- Staff will no longer be required to wear face masks in communal areas
- The twice weekly testing using lateral flow devices has now been directed to stop
- Increased hygiene measures and ventilation are still in place.
- Large group gatherings are now taking place e.g. whole school collective worship.
- Lunches are now being served in the Main Hall rather than the classroom.
- Children or staff displaying Covid symptoms (new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and smell) will be sent home and asked to take a PCR test. They are asked to isolate until they are test negative.
As always, we are continually monitoring the situation and if we find an increase in cases we will seek advice from Public Health England and may step up our supportive measures in the short-term.
Updated Risk Assessment December 2021
In December 2021 we updated our Risk Assessment in line with Government updates due to the increased rate of Covid infection locally.
Please click the link to read our newly updated Risk Assessment.
Re-opening September 2021
We will be fully open from Sept 21 and all children should return to school. We have now reviewed our Risk Assessment in line with Government guidance and this can be found below:
September 2021 re-opening Risk Assessment
To summarise, the school is no longer required to operate in 'bubbles' and adults are no longer advised to wear face masks. We will be phasing back into eating our dinners in the school hall, attending Collective worship sessions together in person and learning to play with a larger number of children. We will still be regularly handwashing and using hand - gel and we are still going to be operating enhanced cleaning schedules through the school day. We will be ensuring that our windows ae open and that our children and staff work in well ventilated spaces.
We will of course review our procedures in line with any advice from the Government and Public Health England as needed and we will communicate this to our parent/carers accordingly.
Our Re-opening information has been emailed our to our parent /carers. A copy of the information can be found below:
Re-opening information to parent / carers Sept 21.
Please do not send your child to school if they have Covid - 19 symptoms. Please take them for a PCR test and have them isolate until the test has confirmed a negative result. A PCR test can be booked using the NHS APP or by calling 119 on your phone.
What do I do if my child tests positive?
If your child is asked to isolate this means your child must stay at home. They must not attend school, visit others / play with others outside of your household for the duration of their isolation. This includes not attending after school activities / tutoring unless this can take place online within your house. They should not be outside playing in the street or visiting the park, but can spend time in a private outdoor space such as their garden. Children should not be taken to the shops whilst isolating.
Your child will be set learning on Seesaw and in cases of whole class closures, there will also be a daily live lesson on Zoom. Please visit our Remote learning page to find out more details in how to use these platforms. Parent/ carers will be emailed a timetable of learning for whole class closures as soon as is possible.
Please ensure that the school is notified as soon as possible if your child tests positive or has covid symptoms. Our school phone line is manned between 8am and 4.15pm Monday - Friday.
A message can be left on our answer phone or via the school email if outside of those hours. Messages will be picked up when the school opens at 8am.
Please leave the following details:
You will need to provide the following information:
- Child name and class
- Date symptoms appeared and desription of the symptoms.
- Date test taken and when result arrived.
- Contact number of parent / carer.
Guidance ( as of Sept 21) has changed and close contacts do not need to isolate unless they have symptoms themselves, are an adult over 18 that has not been double vaccinated or if they test positive themselves.
Your child's contacts will be traced via NHS Track and Trace. The school is no longer involved in Track and Trace.
Thanks for supporting our school and community in this way.
Best wishes
Debbie and the team at Fishponds.
Historic letters to parents re Covid.
Letter to Year 4 parent /carers sent 23/6/21 : Click Here
Letter to Reception Parent/ Carers: Click Here
Letter to Year 1 Butterfish and Nursery Parent/ Carers: Click Here
Letter to Year 6 Parent /Carers : Click Here
Whole School Risk Assessment for Covid June 2021: Click Here
Re-opening information for Monday 8th March 2021
As you are aware, the Government has directed schools to re-open on Monday 8th March 2021. We are really looking forwards to seeing all of the children again! Please note that Y1 and some Y5 children will not be returning until Wednesday 10th March.
Our 'Parent Handbook' outlines the organisation of the school day, what the school day will look like and steps we are taking to limit any potential transmission of Covid. This has been emailed to all of our families already and is also available to read in the window below.
Please continue to remember that if your child or a member of your family, household or support bubble shows symptoms of Covid 19 (continuous cough, high temperature, loss of taste or smell) please stay at home, book a test through NHS Track and Trace and inform the school as soon as possible of the result.
How do I let the school know my child is isolating or has tested positive?
If your child gains a positive Covid test result, please alert the school on this email: Covid.fishponds@dbat.org.uk. or phone the school office on 0117903049.
You will need to provide the following information :
Child's name and year group.
Days child was in school.
When symptoms started and date of test taken.
This will help us to make contact with anyone who may need to isolate.
Once we know your child is isolating we will set remote learning for them to help them keep up with their learning.
Visit our Remote Learning Page to find out more!
Best wishes
Debbie and the team at Fishponds.
Useful Information and documents :
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy - Covid-19 Annex ( Jan 2021)
Risk Assessment - Fishponds CE Academy June 2021
Draft Amended Behaviour Policy Procedures - Covid-19 Nov 20
Back to School Social Story - KS1and EYFS
Back to School Social Story - KS2
For information about Remote Learning, please visit our 'For Pupils' tab.
Remote learning guidance document
If you need specific advice on Covid 19 please phone the helpline.
The BCC COVID-19 advice hotline is accessible to BSL users and people who whose first language is not English. This is a free phone number available 7 days a week to increase access.
Phone line for advice: 0117 352 3011
Department of Education links
