School Risk Assessment

Our school has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that all of our children, staff and parents are safe on our return to school from closure. Our environment and procedures have been fully risk assessed to support the safest return possible. Please find the attached risk assessment document for your information. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to telephone school and ask.

Risk Assessment Sept 2020

 

 

 

 

Covid 19 School Closure Week 34 – Parents Information

 

Information Directly From DfE, Sheffield City Council  and School

 

 

 

So what happens if you feel that your child may be showing signs of Covid19 ?

You have our assurance that whilst your children is in school, all symptoms that may indicate Covid19 will be considered immediately.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
 a new continuous cough
 a high temperature
 a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

 

Staff will take action as soon as one or more of these symptoms are recognized and consult with parents and carers to ensure that all are kept safe.

 

It is important that all adults are clear about what to do in these circumstances :

 

 

Please download school advise here —— Covid Flowchart for Parents

 

Further information is available at :

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

 

 

What should I do if someone in my child’s bubble has symptoms? 

The approach for children is the same as for the rest of the population: only get tested if you or your child has symptoms. If you have any concerns about your child attending school or any other education setting, please contact the school directly.

 

 

 

Changes To School Week

So many things have changed since school reopened after lockdown. We are continuing to review the arrangements we have in place in school to keep children safe, well and learning successfully. Although school life has had to change significantly, school continues to act innovatively to enable children to experience and enjoy a well-rounded day even with the restrictions. With this in mind, our governing board have approved the implementation of an earlier finish time on Fridays, beginning on Friday 6th November. This will allow children time to stay fit and well, staff to respond to remote learning and prepare for the following week and the school building to be deep cleaned thoroughly.
From the week beginning Monday 2nd November, school will close to children after lunch on Fridays.

For more information regarding closure on Friday afternoon, please download the following :

2020 10 05 Change to School Week (3)

2020 10 07 School Timings Further Info

We have been looking into the possibility of providing paid childcare provision on Friday afternoons. We are now in a position to offer a limited number of places for childcare from 12:30pm until 3:30pm on Fridays at a cost of £10 per session. Details regarding childcare can be downloaded below :

2020 10 14 Friday Childcare Provision (2)

 

 

 

Free school meals this half-term

School Classroom

We have pledged to support thousands of children and young people with free school meals during half-term. A letter providing parents with the details of how to access free school meal vouchers will be sent out in the post this week. More information about accessing free school meals can be found on our website.

 

What next ?

Schools will not be involved in distributing vouchers for free school meals. If your children are eligible for free school meals you will receive a letter from Sheffield City Council  and a voucher to be redeemed. The letter will look like that attached below :

half term voucher letter to parents

 

 

 

Sheffield’s Tier 3 rules and restrictions

Sheffield Town Hall

Sheffield entered the Tier 3 ‘Very High’ category at 00:01 on Saturday 24 October. The change has brought about new rules and restrictions including no mixing of households and the closure of some businesses such as betting shops.

 

Sheffield Tier 3 status – a message from the council 

The full lock down in the spring showed us that by doing the basics we can stop the spread of the virus. These basics don’t change – stay 2 metres from others, wash your hands, wear a face covering and stay home if you have symptoms and get a test.  We hope you enjoy half term, with your household or support bubble, but please stop further contact with people you don’t live with, to help us get back to normal quicker

The restrictions

• You cannot meet anyone from another household in any indoor setting or in a private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events, unless they are part of your support bubble
• You can still meet people from other households outdoors – in a public space such as a park or public garden (but not in a private garden) – in groups of six people or fewer

• You should avoid travelling outside the area other than for things like work, education, or caring responsibilities
• You should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK
• Pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals
• Schools and universities will remain open

In addition, the following restrictions will also apply in South Yorkshire:

• Additional closures will include: Betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres
• Gym classes should not take place (but gyms and sports facilities will remain open)

 

You can travel into Sheffield for work purposes if you live in an area currently at a high or medium alert level.  However, you should continue to work from home if you can.

Full details of the restrictions are available on the Government’s website.

 

 

 

Sheffield’s latest Covid-19 Stats

The latest statistics on new Covid-19 cases in Sheffield up to 19 October 2020.

 

 

 

Latest Video from Greg Fell, Director of Public Health Youtube Video Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, outlines Sheffield’s position now it has been categorised as a ‘Very High’ alert area and he goes through the Tier 3 definitions and restrictions.

 

 

 

How are Sheffield City Council services effected ?

For information regarding how City Council services are effected, please follow the link below :

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/your-city-council/coronavirus-hub/our-affected-services

 

 

 

Update for businesses on Tier 3 restrictions

An update for businesses can be found at :

https://sheffnews.com/news/update-for-businesses-on-tier-3-restrictions

 

 

 

Mass coronavirus (COVID-19) testing pilots

On 16 October, the Prime Minister has released details of smal-scale pilots of new testing technologies that will begin this week. These include:

·         repeat asymptomatic testing of certain groups to identify those most at risk of spreading the virus and break chains of transmission ·         lateral flow tests which are swab antigen tests that do not require a laboratory for processing. The results can be provided within an hour, and at the location where the test was taken ·         saliva test that detects the virus from saliva samples, which are easy to collect and simple for the person to provide

The programme looks at technologies that will significantly increase the number of people who are able to be tested each day and reduce the time it takes to receive a test result.

The pilots will take place across the UK and in some of the worst affected regions, including the North West, North East and Yorkshire. They will include some students who are 16 and over (including Y12 and Y13 students in school) and staff at schools, colleges and universities, as well as some NHS hospitals and adult social care settings. The pilots will see individuals tested regularly, with confirmed results sent directly into the NHS Test and Trace system.

 

 

 

Covid19 Testing Sites In Sheffield

This week, a new Covid-19 testing site has opened in Burngreave at Gower Street Car Park. The new unit will be open between 8am-8pm for a three month period. The Mobile Testing Centre has now relocated from Olympic Legacy Park and can be found at Milton Street Car Park, Broomhall.
There are now five testing sites in Sheffield:
 Local Testing Site at Sharrow
 Local Testing Site at Darnall
 Regional Testing Site at Meadowhall
 Local Testing Site at Burngreave
 Mobile Testing Centre at Broomhall
You should only book a test if you have symptoms of Covid-19. Tests must be pre-booked and can only be booked via the national NHS portal online nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

 

 

 

Fourth Local Testing Centre announced Zest Centre in Upperthorpe We are introducing a 4th Local Testing Centre to enable more people to get tested in our effort to combat the spread of covid-19 in Sheffield. The new local testing facility will be located in Upperthorpe and will help local people access more choices on the NHS national portal.

 

 

 

New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force today

From 28 09 20 , people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. This law has been introduced to ensure compliance with self-isolation rules and to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Fines will also be introduced from today for those breaching self-isolation rules, starting at £1,000, in line with the existing penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel. This could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and the most serious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.

Employers who force or allow staff to come to work who they know should be self-isolating will also be liable for fines of up to £10,000.

 

 

 

Self-isolation financial support

Man sat alone

If you are on a low income and will lose income because you are self-isolating you can apply for a payment of £500. To claim, you must be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home.

 

 

 

 

Guidance To Help Us Keep Safe

Or please see

 

 

 

 

Public Transport update

Man wearing a face covering at a bus interchange

Travel South Yorkshire have updated their guidance on using public transport in line with South Yorkshire moving into Tier 3 ‘Very High’ alert category. Please check the Travel South Yorkshire website for the latest advice ahead of your journey.

 

 

 

Guidance on use of face covering when travelling to school or college

Children aged 11 and over are legally required to wear a face covering on public transport in England, unless exempt for health, age or disability reasons.

In accordance with advice from Public Health England, we recommend that local authorities advise children and young people aged 11 and over to wear a face covering when travelling on dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt. Coronavirus (COVID-19) usually spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. When used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

Schools should support local authorities in promoting the use of face coverings when travelling to and from school, and help them to resolve any issues of non-compliance where appropriate.

The ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ campaign urges everyone to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates. The NHS has released a ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ video that may be a useful resource when communicating the importance of wearing a face covering on transport directly to children and young people.

Further information on face coverings can be found in our guidance on transport to school and other places of education: autumn term 2020.

 

 

 

Face coverings in education

The government have updated their guidance on face coverings in education to reflect the Local COVID Alert Levels.

When an area moves to Local COVID Alert Level: high or very high, in settings where pupils in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

 

 

 

New Guidance For Clinically Vulnerable People

The Department of Health and Social Care has provided new guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) from coronavirus (COVID-19). The guidance is less restrictive than previous shielding guidance and includes advice at each Local COVID Alert Level.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19?utm_source=15%20October%202020%20C19&utm_medium=Daily%20Email%20C19&utm_campaign=DfE%20C19

 

 

 

What to do if you have signs or symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must self-isolate and get a test as soon as possible.

There are now 6 testing centres in Sheffield at the following locations:

• Local Testing Site at Sharrow
• Local Testing Site at Darnall
• Regional Testing Site at Meadowhall
• The Mobile Testing Unit based at Olympic Legacy Park has relocated to Milton Street Car Park in Broomhall.
• Local Testing Site at Burngreave
• Local Testing Site at Upperthorpe (Pilot begins 3 November, fully operational 5 November)

You should only book a test if you have symptoms of Covid-19. Tests must be pre-booked and can only be booked via the national NHS portal online nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Stay at home and continue to self-isolate until you get your test results – only leave home to have a test.

DfE – What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

We have updated the guidance on what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to include the latest information on self-isolation and shielding, who needs to get a test for coronavirus (COVID-19), face coverings, assessment and exams.

 

 

 

The flu vaccination is the best protection for you and those around you which is why it is offered for free to those most at risk. The following groups of people are eligible for free flu vaccinations, either via their GP or pharmacist:

• all adults over the age of 65
• pregnant women
• children aged 2 and 3 years old (on 31 August 2020)
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with underlying health conditions or those with a learning disability.

This year more than ever, it’s vital that those eligible for the flu jab get it this winter so you can protect yourself, your family and the NHS. Ask your pharmacist or GP if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine.

More info

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus Support

Sheffield City Council offers a whole host of support services to help residents through the Covid19 period. Please access below :

What support do you need?

 

 

 

Community COVID-19 Response Fund now open

Stack of coins

This week we have launched the Community COVID-19 Response Fund. This short-term funding is designed to support the Voluntary and Community Sector in their work around preventing the spread of COVID-19, testing and outbreak management and supporting people to isolate.

More info

 

 

 

City comes together to protect businesses

Sheffield skyline at night

Sheffield’s Business Response Group have launched a new Business Recovery Plan that brings together civic, city and business leaders to address the impact of Covid-19 on Sheffield’s businesses and jobs. Visit our website to find out what the new plan aims to achieve.

 

 

 

 

Get the NHS Covid-19 App NHS Covid-19 app The NHS COVID-19 app launched this week and we are encouraging everyone who can to download and start using the app straight away. It is part of the NHS Test and Trace service and has a number of tools to protect people, such as alerting people at risk of coronavirus and asking them to isolate before they potentially pass the virus on. To download the app click below.

 

 

 

Green bin collections suspended

Green garden waste bins on a residential street

Due to the impact of the Coronavirus on staffing levels, all green bin (garden waste) collections are suspended until further notice, allowing us to prioritise the staff we have available for black bin collections.

 

 

 

Leaves of the Trees: A Reflective Coronavirus Memorial Installation

Leaves of the Trees installation

Sheffield Cathedral will be hosting the nationally touring memorial by Peter Walker from 3-29 October.

Designed to be a reflective memorial to the pandemic, the installation will be laid out on the steps of St George’s Chapel down into the Nave.

Find out more

 

 

 

Ponds Forge reopens to the public

https://sheffnews.com/news/pondsforgereopens

 

 

 

Autumn and winter events update

Christmas ferris wheel

With Sheffield in the Tier 3 category, the city’s autumn and winter large-scale public events, such as Out of This World and the Christmas Light Switch-on will not go ahead this year, to help protect people from the Coronavirus. Find out the latest autumn and winter event information on our website.