Symptoms
If your child has symptoms, however mild, they must isolate at home and be given a PCR test. An LFD test is is not sufficient.
Positive household case
If a positive case (not your child) is confirmed in your household, it is very important that every other member of your household takes a PCR test, including your child. Your child can still attend school whilst they are symptom free, unless their PCR test comes back positive.
Your child is positive
If your child tests positive on a LFD test, they must isolate and you should book a PCR test within 48 hours (longer than this and the LFD test result still stands, even if the PCR test comes back negative).
If your child tests positive on a PCR test, they must isolate.
Your child is a close contact of a positive case in school
Your class teacher will let you know. It is strongly recommended to carry out regular LFD tests if your child has no symptoms. Your child can still attend school unless they have symptoms.
Symptoms at school
If your child has classic COVID symptoms (new continuous cough, a temperature or a loss of smell/taste) you will be called for immediate collection.
If your child has symptoms associated with the Delta variant (headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, diarrhoea, feeling ‘off’) the school office may request you come and administer an LFD either on site or at home. This will help reduce the spread whilst also minimising time you and your family require out of education or work. Because COVID presents in a variety of ways, you may be asked to book a PCR test (e.g. your child is clearly feeling ‘off’, has a slightly raised temperature and a sore throat). This was common in positive cases during the summer term.
Outbreak policy
All schools are required to have an outbreak policy, for a significant rise in cases within a class or setting. This would involve temporarily returning to more of a bubble based day for the affected class/es.
Remote learning for groups and whole classes would only be used as a last resort.
Communication
If your child is symptomatic and isolating, as with other absences, please let the school office know ASAP. This will help us identify close contacts and minimise the spread.
