Please check this page frequently for the latest news about COVID-19 coronavirus and the impact on schools.

Update 15/11/21

Public Health Dorset letter to schools: 

Public Health Dorset

Update 07/09/21

The Department for Education published further advice on 17/08/21 You can read this using this link:

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges

 

Update 10/01/21

The Department for Education published a blog on Thursday giving further guidance for schools re. remote learning. You can read the blog using this link:

What Should Remote Education Look Like

The Department for Education’s Children of Critical Workers and Vulnerable Children guidance was updated Friday evening stating in summary:

 “parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can”.

For further information, please follow the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

The school have created a remote learning plan, details of which can found by clicking on the link below. Mrs Field is the lead for Remote Learning:

St Gregory’s Remote Learning 2021

Update 03/01/21

Mrs Field has updated the school risk assessment to conform with the very latest guidance issued on 30/12/20.  Should you wish to see the latest risk assessment please do get in touch with the school.

Also in line with the latest guidance Mrs Field has carried out a COVID safety check over the holidays.  Please rest assured that everything where possible has been acted upon to ensure the safety and well-being of all children and staff.  This remains our primary concern and priority.

Positive COVID results during the Christmas holiday

The latest government advice is as follows:

  1. Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
  2. For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.

If any pupils receive a positive test during the first x4 days of Christmas holidays: that is up until 24th December  – PLEASE could you inform me via a text message or voicemail. I will be checking the school mobile daily at 11.00am / 5pm and I will then inform other families who need to be contacted – through Teachers to Parents.

This also applies to all staff in the school.

Please leave send the following information:

  1. Name of child
  2. Relation to person tested positive or if this is the child
  3. Date of symptoms
  4. Date of positive test result

School mobile number: 07756179096

St Gregory’s is of course led by the Government for it’s Covid 19 practices.  This link provides a wealth of information issued by the Government for the school:

Similarly there is comprehensive guidance for parents for helping their children best cope with the unique demands that Covid 19 poses – most notably our children’s mental health:

Public Health Dorset give regular updates on the Covid 19 situation in our county and in a time where you may be suffering information overload, this site gives a local view and offers some valuable perspective:

In Practice What is St Gregory’s Doing Day to Day to Safeguard Against Covid 19:

St Gregory’s have comprehensive processes in place to keep not only our children but the whole our community safe. Amongst these but not exclusively:

  1. We have a full and detailed risk assessment which is updated as and when advice from the Government alters.
  2. We have developed a clear protocol and provision in the event of a member of staff or pupil presenting with Covid-19 symptoms while at school. This includes clearly defined safe areas for isolation until an individual can safely travel home.
  3. We have put in place enhanced hand washing facilities, this installation of hand gel dispensers at all external entry points.
  4. We will provide tissues to all classrooms, along with waste bins for the safe storage of used tissues.
  5. All pupils are forward facing in their classrooms and at lunchtimes.
  6. We have put in place a comprehensive communications plan, delivered through posters across the site and verbal reminders from staff, to ensure good hand and respiratory hygiene.
  7. We have significantly enhanced cleaning provision. All our cleaning personnel have received specific training on cleaning for Covid-19.
  8. Our pupils have been grouped in “bubbles”, to help minimise any unnecessary contact and enable us to track any close contacts quickly if need arises.
  9. We have staggered drop off and pick up times and locations to avoid mixing at the beginning and end of each day.
  10. Break times are staggered with bubbles playing at different times.
  11. Adults attending either drop of or pick up are required to wear face masks.
  12. All staff have completed safety training in respect of Covid-19. 
  13. We have strict controls in place to ensure parents/carers do not come into school unless it is essential, and by appointment only.

Guidance for Visitors:

If you are visiting our Schools with an appointment, please make sure that:

  1. You sign in on arrival
  2. You wash and/or sanitise your hands when you arrive and as necessary during your visit and between working with different children.
  3. You carry a mask or face covering and wear it as required
  4. You maintain a safe distance (at least 1 metre, and ideally two meters) from other people at all times
  5. Try to avoid a face to face position when working with children.
  6. If equipment is required, please ensure that it is cleaned using the disinfectant provided between use.
  7. Please clean the workspace used before, in between transition of pupils and after use.
  8. Please ensure windows are open in the room that you are working in.
  9. If a child develops symptoms whilst in your care, please notify the office staff immediately.
  10. Stay away from School if you have symptoms, have tested positive for Covid-19, or have been in close contact with a confirmed case, in line with Government guidance.
  11. Please notify us within 14 days of being on our School site if you test positive for Covid-19 by emailing office@stgregorymarnhull.dorset.sch.uk

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding our practices relating to Covid 19, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Field, at head@stgregorymarnhull.dorset.sch.uk