Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that your children, and where possible family members, are enjoying the current break.

As we look to the start of next week and the summer term, I would like to draw your attention to the announcement from the Department for Education that for the time-being the use of face coverings in classrooms should where possible be maintained. This is in addition to their use in communal areas, such as corridors and shared spaces, where it is more difficult to minimise the mixing of different groups of pupils and students. It is my understanding that this health control measure in schools will be subject to national review a further time around the middle of May. Therefore, and in line with this current guidance, I request your continued support in providing a plain face covering for your child to use in school from next week.

I take this opportunity to invite you to engage with our spring term newsletter – attached with this communication for your interest.

With kindest regards,

Colin Townsend

Principal

Dear Parents/Carers,

With the return to School for the summer term now underway, I take the opportunity to offer a brief reminder about some of the coronavirus testing protocols – especially now that home testing has also been introduced.

If your child exhibits coronavirus symptoms please do not send them to School, and instead arrange a PCR test. Details of how to arrange a PCR test are stated below. A home-test kit LFD test is not sufficient as a test once symptoms are present as whilst they have a place in overall control measures, they are not as accurate as a PCR test.

Arrange a PCR test when needed here or by calling 119.

As a reminder, common Covid-19 symptoms are:

• A new continuous cough.
• A high temperature.
• A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

If one of the home-test coronavirus kits used routinely when your child does not have symptoms ever generates a positive result, this must then be confirmed by arranging a further PCR test, similarly through the links and methods detailed above.

If you need any further guidance at any point, please make contact with the School via 0121 796 5000 or a.cosimetti@uobschool.org.uk

Yours sincerely,

Colin Townsend

Principal