Coronavirus - Government advice for schools

Dear Parent/Carer Re: Coronavirus and advice for schools

The latest government guidance has advised schools to share the following information with pupils, parents and staff.

Although the current risk in the UK is low and we do not have any current concerns in our setting, we are taking a proactive approach.

We are aware of schools in the Midlands area that have either closed or taken action due to flu like symptoms being present in school.

The advice from the government is as follows:

People can continue to go to work, school and other public places. You only need to stay away from school if you’ve been:

• To Hubei province in China in the last 14 days

• To Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or ‘special care zone' areas in South Korea since 19 February

• To other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath

• To other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath

• In close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus

• Living with a family member who has symptoms of coronavirus

• Have presented with a cough, breathing difficulties or a fever

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

Symptoms of Coronavirus are fever, coughing, a sore throat and difficulty breathing.

If your child has a sibling that attends a school that has reported action regarding Coronavirus parents must notify us of this before sending your child to school at Maple Hayes. Please contact the school office on 01543 264387 or office@dyslexia.school.

We have been talking to the pupils in school about regular handwashing and the “Catch It, Bin It, Kill It” message.

We are taking extra precautions in school to help reduce the spreading of germs and we kindly ask parents to support this by:

• talking to their child about the importance of this and;

• ensuring that their child carries tissues at school especially if they have a cold or ‘sniffles’

• washing Tupperware/snack boxes every night that pupils use for snacks

It should be remembered that most respiratory illnesses are likely to be the common cold or, in extreme cases, influenza.

Any staff or pupils who display symptoms or who are in a household with people displaying these symptoms should remain away from Maple Hayes for 14 days

If you have any questions please contact the school office on 01543 264387 or on office@dyslexia.school.