COVID-19 ** UPDATE **

Dear Parents/Carers 

Thank you for your continued support in keeping health and safety a priority in our school. This week we have seen a spike in the number of positive Covid cases being reported and I am writing to inform you that Chichester High School has COVID-19 cases in all year groups. 

I will be writing to you again once I have taken further advice about other measures that we can put in place to minimise further transmission. It is therefore highly likely that pupils and staff will be asked to continue wearing masks (unless exempt) past 27th January 2022.

We know that you may find this concerning, but we are continuing to monitor the situation. 

The setting remains open, and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.  All pupils and staff, regardless of year group, should remain vigilant regarding COVID-19. All parents are advised to continue with the routine twice weekly asymptomatic LFD COVID-19 testing of those aged 11 and above in the household. 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or tests positive for COVID-19

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).   

If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should get a PCR test via Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by calling 119 and remain at home at least until the result is known. If the test is positive, follow the self-isolation guidance from NHS Test and Trace and inform us of the result.  

More information on symptoms is available: 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.

If your child has a positive LFD test please report this test at https://www.gov.uk/log-test-site-covid19-results. They should isolate and follow the guidance COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

A confirmatory PCR test is not required.

How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading? 

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread:

• Get vaccinated – everyone aged 12 and over are eligible – see Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for more details and how to book.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• Meet people outside and avoid crowded areas
• Open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
• Wear a face covering when it's hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors or in crowded places
• Participate in twice weekly LFD testing following national guidelines (recommended for 11 years and over). We encourage you to log your results here: https://www.gov.uk/log-test-site-covid19-results 

Many thanks for your continued support.

Yours faithfully

Joanne McKeown
Headteacher