Tuesday 17^th March 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

Information re Coronavirus 

The Government’s guidance on the coronavirus has changed from the ‘contain’ phase to one of delaying the spread of the virus and information and guidance is changing daily. We’re getting in touch again to let you know what we’re doing in light of this, and what we expect from all of you, to help make sure our school community keeps safe and calm.

We’d like to reassure you that at Arundale we’re taking all of the necessary steps to protect our community and are continuing to follow official guidance from the Government and Tameside Local Authority.

What’s the current situation?

• The school remains open – this is the current official guidance we’ve been given
• Before and After School Clubs remain as normal.
• Pupils should attend school unless they feel unwell – if your child has any of the following symptoms, they should now remain at home for 14 days:

 • a new, continuous cough and/or

 • a high temperature of 37.8 degrees or more

Entire households should self-isolate for 14 days if one person has been showing symptoms of the coronavirus.

If your child is unwell, report this as you would normally by telephoning the school office.

Last night, the Government announced that we need to stop all ‘non-essential’ social contact with others. Therefore, the following will apply:

• Friday celebration assemblies will cease until further notice.
• Year 4 swimming lessons are cancelled until further notice.
• The Easter assembly and Easter discos will not go ahead.
• Class trips will not be going ahead.
• Parents evening is postponed.

We’ll keep you up to date with any changes to the current situation and planned activities that are still going ahead, as quickly as we possibly can. However, this is proving extremely difficult as advice is changing by the day. We know these are unprecedented times that we find ourselves in and positive communication from school will be really helpful and hopefully appreciated by you all.

What we’re doing to protect and support pupils and staff

• In school pupils are still being encouraged to wash hands regularly.
• If any pupil feels unwell whilst in school we will contact you on the numbers you have provided.
• Regular cleaning of communal areas.
• Staggered lunch time so fewer children are in the hall at the same time.