18/03/2022 – Governors Newsletter Issue 1
We are very pleased to provide a link to the first issue of ‘Branching Out’, our new Governors Newsletter.
The newsletter is designed as a way of letting parents/carers, students and staff know a little more about our Governors and the work they have been doing.
Please click the link to view the newsletter in .pdf format.
15/03/2022 – COVID-19 Positive Cases
Dear Parents/Carers,
Totton Positive Cases
I am writing to make you aware that we are currently experiencing a swift rise in positive COVID-19 cases amongst staff and students at our Totton Site since the weekend.
This is now beginning to impact on staffing levels.
We have put in place ‘step up measures’ in the form of:
- Staff wearing Type IIR Face Masks at all times
- Students being encouraged to wear face masks where they are able to.
- Daily LFT testing for all staff
- Students encouraged to complete daily LFT tests where they are able to.
- Use of classroom ventilation
- Clean down of all shared resources and work areas between lessons.
- Enhanced cleaning at the end of the school day including anti-bacterial fogging of the Totton Site
- Maintaining as much social distancing as possible
- Stopping all non-essential visits to the school site.
We have reported the outbreak to the Department for Education and are now working with Public Health England to ensure we take any action required.
Based on the current numbers of positive cases we have had to reduce the number of students attending the site today and switched to online learning for those impacted.
It is likely that we will need to switch to a part time timetable at Totton for the remainder of the week. Senior Leaders are looking at this now and will make contact with parents/carers directly via phone where this may be required.
We will obviously keep any disruption to the absolute minimum and prioritise attendance for Year 11 Students at all times in the lead up to their exams.
We will also look to rotate any remote learning to ensure students have the maximum face to face teaching.
Fawley & Dibden Sites
We also have a small number of positive cases within the staff teams at Dibden and Fawley Sites however this is not impacting on staffing levels at this time.
Increased LFT Testing for All Students
We will be sending additional LFT test kits home with all students today and would appreciate your support in testing your child daily for the remainder of this week if they you are able to.
Can I thank you all in advance for your support of the school at this time.
Kind regards,
Duncan
Duncan Smith
Headteacher
28/3/2022 – Dibden Development Progress
Over the half-term holiday further progress was made with the Dibden Development. The main corridor and entrance lobby was cleared, including the removal of some built in cupboards and an old doorway. This has made the corridor seem much brighter and spacious. New Oak doors were hung in various doorways and the addition of reeded board and a complete repaint of the corridor has left the site looking completely different inside.
Behind the scenes, our IT Support Team undertook a complete rewire of the network to tidy up after all the new classrooms have been added and ensure the best possible network access for all PC’s and students iPads (via wireless).
The new staff workroom had flooring, a kitchenette and work desks installed plus furniture delivered to provide a space for staff on preperation lessons to complete their planning and grab a well deserved drink.
Finally, a lot of work was completed in the DT and IT classrooms with new benching, carpets, AV equipment installed and sinks/plumbing for the DT room.
17/02/2022 – Severe Weather Warning
Severe weather Warning – Transport Update
We have just had contact with Transport Services for both Hampshire and Dorset regarding implications for tomorrow with the Amber Weather Warning and forecast gales.
DORSET TRANSPORT SERVICES
Dorset have cancelled all transport for students with the following information provided:
Due to the severe weather warnings associated with Storm Eunice tomorrow and the potential risks to travellers, Dorset Council has made the decision to suspend all transport to schools, alternative provisions and adult day care centres for Friday 18th February.
HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT SERVICES
Hampshire have not yet made a decision on cancelling student transport. However, they have told all taxi companies that if they are not confident they will be able to safely complete both their morning and afternoon runs, then they should not pick up students in the morning.
OWN TRANSPORT – PARENTS/CARERS
Given the current forecast which has winds between 80-95 mph during the morning we would ask parents/carers who provide their own transport for students to make the decision if you are confident/happy to undertake the journey in to school. If you have any concerns or are unable to make the journey due to travel disruption then please do not worry – simply contact the school so we are aware.
We will continue to monitor the forecast and any correspondence from the Local Education Authority and Transport Services and update parents/carers if anything changes.
Kind regards,
Duncan Smith
Headteacher
17/02/2022 – Parent/Carer Update
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to provide some important information as well as updates for the end of this half-term and the start of next half-term.
Severe Weather Warning – Friday 18th February
Please be aware that there is a severe weather warning in place for tomorrow, Friday 18th February, for gale force winds. Whilst we do not anticipate this impacting on school opening, we have made arrangements to minimise travel involving students and staff during the school day as a precautionary measure. Students are being informed today if this means any change to their normal timetable. If any parent/carer is impacted by the gales forecast then please do not hesitate to contact the school and let us know.
End and Start of Half Term Arrangements
The half term finishes tomorrow, Friday 18th February at normal time.
Students return to school on Monday 28th February.
NB: A reminder that we moved our originally published INSET day from Monday 28th February to Friday 4th March to allow staff to complete the second day of our Read Write Inc Reading Scheme Training. Therefore Students will not be attending school on Friday 4th March
Parents Evenings & Events
I am very pleased to announce that we are able to return to face to face parents evenings and events on our school sites given the steady and continuing decline in COVID-19.
As such we would like to invite parents/carers to visit the school sites for the following initial events:
Parents Evenings
TOTTON SITE
Key Stage 4 Students (Year 10 & 11)
Tuesday 1st March 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Key Stage 3 Students (Year 7-9)
Tuesday 8th March 3:00pm – 6:00pm
DIBDEN SITE
Key Stage 4 Students (Year 10 & 11)
Thursday 3rd March 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Key Stage 3 Students (Year 7-9)
Thursday 10th March 3:00pm – 6:00pm
FAWLEY SITE
Key Stage 2 Students (Year 4-6)
Wednesday 6th April 3:00pm – 6:00pm
The Parents Evenings will be run on a drop in basis (so no need to book appointments), with teachers based in their teaching rooms/areas to discuss your Child’s work and progress. Members of the Senior Leadership Team will also be available to chat with parents.
Final Thoughts
I would like to wish all students and parents/carers a safe and enjoyable half term break. We all look forward to seeing our students again on Monday 28th February.
Kindest regards,
Duncan Smith
Headteacher
31/01/2022 – Positive COVID19 Cases
COVID19 Cases – Dibden Site
Dear Parents/Carers,
We currently have a significant number of positive COVID-19 test results at our Dibden site – predominantly with members of staff.
Due to the number of staff absent we have implemented a partial closure and only have a very small proportion of students on site today to keep student/staff ratios appropriate and safe.
If positive cases increase, we may be required to fully close the school site. If this occurs, we will switch to full remote learning via Microsoft Teams and our Virtual Learning Environment. Although we will try to avoid this, I would prefer to give advanced notice to parents/carers, so you are able to consider any impact for childcare.
We will communicate plans going forward for this week with Parents/Carers via personal phone calls.
We have reported the current outbreak to the Department For Education COVID-19 Helpline and are currently awaiting contact from Public Health England.
We appreciate that you may find this concerning, please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
What are we already doing?
Staff who have tested positive are isolating.
Any children/staff who are identified as contacts of the confirmed cases will receive guidance from NHS Test and Trace.
Outbreak control measures are also in place within the Dibden site and being kept under review.
If your child is well
As the school is currently subject to a partial closure and we are looking closely at plans for the remainder of this week (31/01/2022 – 4/02/2022). This may involve students attending on a rotational timetable.
Wherever we are able to provide onsite lessons, your child is able to attend school.
In addition to daily LFD testing for close contacts, we encourage household members aged 11 and over to continue with twice weekly LFD testing to help identify cases promptly.
If you think your child is a close contact but has not been contacted directly by NHS Test and Trace, then we would advise they undertake daily LFD tests for a period of 7 days. This advice applies to children aged 5 and over. Whilst daily testing for 7 days is your choice, it is strongly encouraged as it helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your community. The school will supply additional LFD tests to cover the period of this outbreak. Children aged under 5 who are close contacts are not required to isolate and do not need to take part in daily testing of close contacts.
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19
If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should get a PCR test (https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119) and remain at home at least until the result is known and they are fever free (without medication) for at least 24 hours.
- If negative, the child can end self-isolation and return to school once well;
- If positive, the child should isolate as a positive case (see below)
People who test positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate at home until they are well (48 hours fever free) and either:
- 10 full days have passed, or
- They have produced two negative LFD tests on consecutive days, with the first taken no earlier than day 5.
Note: Lingering coughs and changes to smell/taste are not a sign of ongoing infectiousness, so children can return to school if they have ended their self-isolation period (see above).
If your child does not have symptoms, count the day they took the test as day 0. If they subsequently develop symptoms, they will need to restart their isolation period using the day symptoms developed as day 0.
You can seek advice on COVID-19 symptoms from the nhs.uk website. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111
Instructions for people who live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is symptomatic and awaiting a test result
NHS Test and Trace will contact you to check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate, you will be provided with advice on testing, advised to take extra caution, and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not.
You are not required to self-isolate if any of the following apply:
- You are fully vaccinated
- You are below the age of 18 years 6 months
- You have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- You are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons
Fully vaccinated means that you have been vaccinated with an MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed since you received the recommended doses of that vaccine (note this is currently under review and may be updated to include a booster dose in due course).
In line with national guidance for households with Covid-19 infection, household and other close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should undertake daily LFD testing for a period of 7 days or for 10 days from their last contact with the positive case (whichever is first). This is recommended for all close contacts aged 5 and over who are not required to isolate. The school can provide additional LFD tests if required.
Children aged under 5 who are close contacts are not required to isolate and do not need to take part in daily testing of close contacts. If a child under the age of 5 lives with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 they will be advised to avoid contact with those at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19 and to take a one-off PCR test as soon as possible.
You are required to self-isolate if you’re aged over 18 years and 6 months and if any of the following apply:
- You have received only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
- You have not received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination
- You are not otherwise exempt
Household members who need to self-isolate as close contacts should not go to work, school or public areas, and exercise should be taken within the home. You should ask friends or family if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online. Please read the stay at home guidance which provides information on this.
Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
You could be fined if you do not self-isolate following a notification by NHS Test and Trace. You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate, or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate. To access the payment, eligible people will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR if they receive a positive LFD result.
How to reduce spread of COVID-19 as a household contact who is not required to self-isolate
Even if you are vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by following the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your community:
- Test daily using LFDs
- Limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces (when not in school)
- Wear a face covering for those aged 11 and over in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilates spaces and when you are in close contact with other people
- Limit contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with Covid-19
- Follow the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You should follow this advice for at least 10 days.
If you are a health or social care worker or student undertaking a work placement who has been identified as a household contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings.
If you develop symptoms at any time, even if these are mild, self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR test and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Get vaccinated – everyone aged 12 and over can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments now
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
- 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
- Meet people outside and avoid crowded areas
- Open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
- Wear a face covering if aged 11 and over when it’s hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors or in crowded places
- Participate in twice weekly LFD testing following national guidelines (recommended for 11 years and over). We encourage you to log your results here: https://www.gov.uk/log-test-site-covid19-results
Further Information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Yours sincerely
Duncan Smith
Headteacher