Corona Virus Outbreak Management Policy

COVID-19: outbreak management plan

1. Introduction

This plan is based on the contingency framework for managing local outbreaks of COVID-19 and the schools operational guidance from step 4, provided by the Department for Education (DfE).

We will only implement some, or all, of the measures in this plan in response to recommendations provided by our local authority (LA), director of public health (DsPH), Public Health England (PHE) health protection team or the national government.

It may be necessary to implement these measures in the following circumstances, for example: 

• To help manage a COVID-19 outbreak within the school
• If COVID-19 infection rates in the community are extremely high, and other measures have failed to reduce transmission
• As part of a package of measures responding to a ‘variant of concern’ (VoC)

2. Shielding

We will adhere to national guidance on the reintroduction of shielding, which would apply to those on the shielded patient list (SPL).

We will speak to individuals required to shield about additional protective measures in school or arrangements for home working or learning.

3. Other measures

If recommended, we will limit:

• Residential educational visits
• Open days
• Transition or taster days
• Parents coming into school
• Live performances

If recommended, we will reintroduce:

• Bubbles, to reduce mixing between groups
• Face coverings in communal areas and classrooms for staff and visitors (unless exempt)

4. Attendance restrictions

Attendance restrictions will only be recommended as a last resort. If recommended, we will implement the measures in this section.

4.1 Eligibility to remain in school

In the first instance, we will stay open for:

• Vulnerable pupils
• Children of critical workers
• Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils

If further restrictions are recommended, we will stay open for:

• Vulnerable pupils
• Children of critical workers

4.2 Education and support for pupils at home

All other pupils will be required to stay at home and will receive remote education.

We will aim to deliver remote education that meets the same quality and quantity of education that pupils would receive in school, as outlined in our Remote Learning Policy.

The school will continue to provide meals or lunch parcels for pupils eligible for benefits-related free school meals while they are not attending school because of COVID-19 isolation guidelines.

4.3 Wraparound care

We will limit access to before and after-school activities and wraparound care to keep everyone as safe as possible.

We will communicate who will be eligible to attend once the restrictions are confirmed.

4.4 Safeguarding

We will review our child protection policy to make sure it reflects the local restrictions and remains effective.

We will aim to have a trained DSL or deputy DSL on site wherever possible.

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On occasions where there is no DSL or deputy on site, they will always be available by phone.