Page currently under review April 2022

COVID-19 Updates & Risk Assessments [updated 28 Aug 2021]

We continue to closely monitor the updates around the coronavirus; as you will be aware, Wigan is considered a high risk area by the Government and Local Area Protection Team.

The national situation has also changed, with a new strain (the S-variant). 

Document Overview:

UPDATED - Click Here to review our

Contingency & Outbreak Management Plan 28.06.2021

The Department for Education has published an updated Covid-19 contingency framework for schools, setting out what measures may be needed in response to a local outbreak. The guidance states schools should have “outbreak management plans”, outlining “how they would operate” if any of the measures described in the guidance were recommended for their setting or area. This plan DRAFT has been created in line with the latest government advice (25th June 2021) including the DfE’s ‘COVID-19 Contingency Framework: Education and childcare’ and ‘Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance’ .
Click Here to review our trust Coronavirus Contingency Policy and Remote Learning Website

 

Our Coronavirus (COVID-19): Contingency Plan provides an overview /  outline how we will operate if restrictions are implemented, covering areas including remote education, on-site provision and safeguarding. 

Updated: Sept 2021

UPDATED COVID-19: Risk Assessment click here to review our 2021-22 risk assessment (updated Nov 2021)

Trust wide risk assessment to ensure the risks from coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to be managed effectively to help protect their staff, pupils, and the rest of their school community

Provision in primary schools - 17th May 2021

We are currently reviewing and updating our risk assessments and community/staff guidance on how our settings can prepare for restrictions to help contain community transmission of COVID-19 (contingency framework). The DfE contingency framework was updated on Thursday 13 May to include information on the use of face coverings and surge testing in response to variants of concern (VOC) outbreaks in local areas. Staff and community communications were published on 13th May 2021 outlining our revised procedures. 

Wigan Outbreak Management Policy is available for review here 

Provision in primary schools - 8th March 2021

  1. Click Here to review our PBCS Coronavirus Full Reopening Plan 08.03.2021.
    1. Click Here to review our Risk Assessment undertaken on 28th Feb 2021 following the Prime Ministers announcement 22.02.2021 for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges, as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown. 

Provision in primary schools - January 2021

  1. Click Here to review our Risk Assessment undertaken on 5th January 2021 following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday 4th January 2021 that schools in England will close to most pupils from 5 January 2021 reopening on the 6th January 2021 to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers (also referred to as key workers) only for continued on site education.
  2. Click Here to review our Feb 2021 Coronavirus (COVID-19) risk assessment to consider the additional risks and control measures needed to enable a return to full capacity during the Spring term.
  3. Click Here to review our Remote Learning Risk Assessment undertaken 11th January 2021.
  4. Click Here to review our Remote Learning Teaching and learning protocols for pupils at home.
  5. Click Here to review our trust Lateral Flow Test - Risk Assessment undertaken 10th January 2021
  6. Click Here to review our Staff Lateral Flow Device Procedures / LFD Staff Testing Information Booklet (Feb 2021).

Our resources will continue to be kept up-to-date with new guidance and any changes to current advice.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Contingency Plan / Remote Learning Website

Click Here to review our trust/schools contingency policy and remote learning website if our local area sees a spike in coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates that is resulting in localised community spread, appropriate authorities will decide which measures to implement to help contain the spread – these measures could include the partial closure of schools in the area. This policy sets out how we will prepare for these circumstances and have contingency plans in place to ensure the continuity of education for pupils.

COVID-19 Policies

Latest updates and information in relation to COVID-19 

[UPDATED 16th June 2021]

We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.

  • Direct Contacts within the Year 3B Cohort WEF 16th June 2021

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days.

In line with the national guidance, the identified contacts must stay at home and self-isolate until 23:59 Friday 2April 2021.  If direct contacts are well at the end of the 10-day period of self-isolation, they can return to your usual activities (from Saturday 20th March) and return to work as normal from Tuesday 6th April 2021.

The school remains open for all other pupils and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well and have not been contacted as part of the schools contract tracing procedures.

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Should you have any queries please contact a member of the school leadership team via email: enquiries@plattbridge.cfat.org.uk

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What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19  

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

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)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Please get in touch with us with any questions you may have. 

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ARCHIVE

September 2020 to August 2021 Background

From Saturday 26 September, residents and visitors in Wigan, were required to follow the restrictions in place across Greater Manchester.

As of Monday 28th September 2020, we took extra measures in school to protect our pupils and staff in response to rising cases of coronavirus in Wigan and Greater Manchester. These additional measures have been communicated to staff via MS Teams and to parents/carers via Class Dojo

We have in addition published a Covid Risk Assessment Addendum to cover the period of national restrictions from 5 November 2020 to 2 December 2020 (inclusive) which can be reviewed below. 

It however, remains of paramount importance that all risks are considered on an ongoing basis to ensure the health and safety of all members of the school community, including visitors are maintained.

Our Risk Assessments are continually updated inline with changing guidance / advice to help manage the risks associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and identify any potential risks when allowing pupils, staff and visitors onto the school premises. 

It was agreed that our Risk Assessments would be shared / made available with relevant Stakeholders (employees, trade unions, governance colleagues) on an ongoing basis via this website. 

update 14th Dec 2020 - following the announcement from the Chief Medical Officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that the self-isolation period for COVID-19 has been reduced from 14 days to 10 days.

[Archived] Policies / Preparations to Return to School Sept 20