CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (16.3.20)

As the small number of cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 begin to increase in Cumbria the chances of a pupil, parent or member of staff testing positive, or being in contact with a confirmed case and being advised to self-isolate is also increasing.

North Lakes School will remain open; however, adults or children must not come into school if they have any of the following symptoms:

• a new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature

If any of these symptoms are present or you are worried in any way that you or your child may have contracted Coronavirus you should ensure that all members of the household stay at home for a minimum of 14 days. You should contact NHS 111 via telephone or their online system only if symptoms worsen. Please always notify the school about the action you have taken, or been asked to take. (updated 16.3.20)

We are not aware of any Coronavirus cases in our own school community at this point in time. Where a pupil or staff member is self-isolating due to contact with a confirmed case, the current national advice is that schools should remain open.

At the same time, we wish to do all we can to minimise the risk of exposure to all members of the community. For this reason, we have taken the steps:

• In line with advice to stop school trips, NO CLASSES OR CHILDREN WILL NOW GO SWIMMING IN SCHOOL TIME.
• In line with the advice to limit unnecessary visitors in school, all potential visitors will be risk assessed. They will only be permitted access if their visit is essential to safe teaching and learning and if they have cleared of our checks.
• We have also decided to cancel the family Easter Bingo event that was being planned for the 26th March.

We will keep other future school events under review, and keep you informed of any changes to our plans. (updated 16.3.20)

If we do get a confirmed case at North Lakes School or directly connected with the school, then Public Health England will advise on the appropriate and proportionate steps to take. We will keep parents informed of any advice we are given and action that we are taking.

I would like to reassure you that the health and wellbeing of our school community is our top priority. We continue to remind pupils about effective hand washing and the “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” approach – here is a clear reminder of latest information:

We have also set up an information site with lots of help and support about Coronavirus. You can access this on the Parent Portal or at this link

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

1. Please check that the school has the correct email address and mobile numbers for you and your family so that you are on the system – Please update this information via the Parent Portal Update Information form

2. Please check, with your child, that all of your logins work for the following online systems:

• Frog Learn (children)
• Sumdog (children)
• Frog Parent Portal (parents)
• Times Tables Rock Stars (Years 3 to 5)
• Lexia (only for those children who use this in school)

Next week we will be sending out a help sheet to ensure everyone knows how to access all of the above in the best possible way and what to do if you have any problems.

Thank you for all your support and please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any concerns you wish to discuss.

Thank you,

Mr Pincombe

Head Teacher