4th March 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Information regarding Coronavirus (COVID 19)

We are increasingly aware that some schools are becoming affected, by disruption caused by the Coronavirus.

Please be reassured that we are monitoring updates and advice rigorously from the Department of Education (DfE), Department of Health, Public Health England (PHE) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including up-to-date guidance from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19 . The local authority is ensuring that schools are immediately alerted to updates.

We ask that parents and carers support us in maintaining high standards of basic pupil hand and respiratory hygiene, by encouraging thorough hand washing at home and the use of tissues, when coughing or sneezing. On Monday, the children had a whole school assembly about the importance of handwashing. We used powder paint to represent germs and then showed how germs could be passed from person to person through coughing, sneezing, touch or use of shared items. We then modelled how to wash hands thoroughly with soap. We also talked about using tissues and disposing of tissues quickly and safely. We are ensuring that all children are supervised to wash their hands thoroughly before lunch.  The following poster has some useful reminders. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869250/Coronavirus_advice_for_educational_settings_poster.pdf

Newtown Primary School prides itself on welcoming families from all around the world, and as you are aware this means that we are regularly admitting new pupils from abroad. At the present time we have put in additional checks prior to admission. These include finding out where families have travelled from and their date of admission into the UK. This information is then checked against the latest government guidance regarding risks and quarantine measures.

If you have travelled to or been in contact with anyone who has visited one of the Category 1 or 2 countries recently, please ensure you take the appropriate guidance and advice as described in the above link.

We would like to thank you, for your continued support. Please be reassured that while the school continues to operate as normal at present, we appreciate this is a fast-changing situation. We will monitor and act if necessary, in accordance with issued guidance.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Sally Herbert