Policies and Risk Assessment relating to COVID-19
Lateral Flow Testing for household members
Please see the information below provided by Devon County Council on 5th March 2021
The government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all households with primary, secondary school and college aged children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles.
It's because one in three people with coronavirus show no symptoms and potentially spread it without knowing, so targeted, regular testing will mean more positive cases within households are found and prevented from entering schools and colleges, helping to keep educational settings safe.
The twice-weekly testing can be carried out using home-testing kits which can be collected from NHS testing locations or ordered online. Please note they cannot be collected from Devon County Council community testing sites at the moment. Our community testing sites are only able to carry out on-site tests, which must be booked in advance via our website. As well as members of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of school and college staff and pupils, this facility is also available for anyone whose job or volunteering work requires them to leave the house and be in contact with others, and anyone who cares for others, either paid or voluntary.
The government policy and guidance around testing is changing rapidly – we will keep our website updated to reflect any changes.
The full ‘Back to School’ DCC Covid-19 news bulletin, issued on 4 March, is available here. which you may find helpful to share with parents and carers via your school networks.
The government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all households with primary, secondary school and college aged children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles.
It's because one in three people with coronavirus show no symptoms and potentially spread it without knowing, so targeted, regular testing will mean more positive cases within households are found and prevented from entering schools and colleges, helping to keep educational settings safe.
The twice-weekly testing can be carried out using home-testing kits which can be collected from NHS testing locations or ordered online. Please note they cannot be collected from Devon County Council community testing sites at the moment. Our community testing sites are only able to carry out on-site tests, which must be booked in advance via our website. As well as members of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of school and college staff and pupils, this facility is also available for anyone whose job or volunteering work requires them to leave the house and be in contact with others, and anyone who cares for others, either paid or voluntary.
The government policy and guidance around testing is changing rapidly – we will keep our website updated to reflect any changes.
The full ‘Back to School’ DCC Covid-19 news bulletin, issued on 4 March, is available here. which you may find helpful to share with parents and carers via your school networks.
Remote Learning
For policies that have been reviewed/updated regarding CV-19 please see the Policies section of the website.
NHS Test and Trace app and Coronavirus Testing
NHS Test and Trace COVID-19 app
NHS Test and Trace has now launched the NHS COVID-19 app. The app has been launched to help control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It will do this by alerting people who may have been exposed to infection so that they can take action.
The app is available to download on smartphones for anyone aged 16 or over. In addition to the guidance for schools and further education colleges which were published on Wednesday, NHS Test and Trace has published guidance and resources to support the use of the app which are available to download.
As a school, we now have a QR code and a poster displaying this will be used to allow any visitors to the school site to be part of Test and Trace.
Coronavirus Testing
The below are the steps, in order, that should be followed to secure a test:
· Children under the age of 5: Urgent Referral Form - Under 5's
· School aged Children (5-18): School Aged Children
· NHS/Health/Care workers: NHS/Health/Care Professionals
· All other individuals: Urgent Referral Form - Adults
Confirmation of a test booking should include a QR code so please do not visit a test centre unless you have been sent a QR code as you may be refused entry.
As children need their parents to conduct the test for them (or help them do it themselves) it is important that when attending a test centre they enter the self-test lane. Failure to do this may result in the test not being available.
NHS Test and Trace has now launched the NHS COVID-19 app. The app has been launched to help control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It will do this by alerting people who may have been exposed to infection so that they can take action.
The app is available to download on smartphones for anyone aged 16 or over. In addition to the guidance for schools and further education colleges which were published on Wednesday, NHS Test and Trace has published guidance and resources to support the use of the app which are available to download.
As a school, we now have a QR code and a poster displaying this will be used to allow any visitors to the school site to be part of Test and Trace.
Coronavirus Testing
The below are the steps, in order, that should be followed to secure a test:
- Individuals should only get tested if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
- Parents or carers of children attending school or school staff with symptoms of coronavirus should book a test as normal via the government website or by calling 119.
- If they are unable to book a local testing slot then:
· Children under the age of 5: Urgent Referral Form - Under 5's
· School aged Children (5-18): School Aged Children
· NHS/Health/Care workers: NHS/Health/Care Professionals
· All other individuals: Urgent Referral Form - Adults
Confirmation of a test booking should include a QR code so please do not visit a test centre unless you have been sent a QR code as you may be refused entry.
As children need their parents to conduct the test for them (or help them do it themselves) it is important that when attending a test centre they enter the self-test lane. Failure to do this may result in the test not being available.
Communications
Supporting Children
"We are aware that as the Covid 19 pandemic continues, the news and social media continue to have very challenging content. The children may be being exposed to some very difficult messages, some of which may not even be true. Having conversations about Coronavirus can be a difficult and anxiety provoking in itself. Some tips to help support you are listed below:
•Plan ahead & be prepared– as much as you can be;
•Be as calm as possible;
•Keep to the facts;
•Minimise time spent watching, reading about Covid19 related information;
•Be willing to openly & visibly use your own calming strategies when needed e.g. practising breathing techniques/exercise.
Explaining Social Distancing in Early Years Language:
This link goes to a book that explains in Early Years Language the need for social distancing and how we can do this.
It may be helpful to go back to documents we sent out at the beginning of the outbreak – there is something very reassuring for a child to go back to trusted resources, which are clear and reassuring. Two key ones would be ‘Talking to children about Coronavirus’ and the child friendly explanation cartoon book.
There is also a lovely book 'Coronavirus. A book for children' by Elizabeth Jenner illustrated by Axel Scheffler (from The Gruffalo), which is FREE on Amazon. The book is also available free in Malayalam, French, Dutch and other languages."
•Plan ahead & be prepared– as much as you can be;
•Be as calm as possible;
•Keep to the facts;
•Minimise time spent watching, reading about Covid19 related information;
•Be willing to openly & visibly use your own calming strategies when needed e.g. practising breathing techniques/exercise.
Explaining Social Distancing in Early Years Language:
This link goes to a book that explains in Early Years Language the need for social distancing and how we can do this.
It may be helpful to go back to documents we sent out at the beginning of the outbreak – there is something very reassuring for a child to go back to trusted resources, which are clear and reassuring. Two key ones would be ‘Talking to children about Coronavirus’ and the child friendly explanation cartoon book.
There is also a lovely book 'Coronavirus. A book for children' by Elizabeth Jenner illustrated by Axel Scheffler (from The Gruffalo), which is FREE on Amazon. The book is also available free in Malayalam, French, Dutch and other languages."
|
|
Coronavirus and Safeguarding
Safeguarding Leads and contact information
Members of staff who are safeguarding leads are as follows:
Mrs Emma Pipe: Designated Safeguarding Lead and Headteacher: safeguarding@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Miss Maria White: Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Headteacher and Online Safety Leader mwhite@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Mrs Hartmann: Deputy Safeguarding Lead, SENDCO and Early Help Leader nhartmann@topsham.devon.sch.uk
If any parent has a safeguarding concern or query about ANY child within our community, please email for advice.
IF ANY ADULT FEELS A CHILD OR ADULT MAY BE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER YOU MUST CALL MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) OR 999
“If you are worried about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety please contact the MASH on
0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.”
Devon Children and Families Partnership.
Members of staff who are safeguarding leads are as follows:
Mrs Emma Pipe: Designated Safeguarding Lead and Headteacher: safeguarding@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Miss Maria White: Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Headteacher and Online Safety Leader mwhite@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Mrs Hartmann: Deputy Safeguarding Lead, SENDCO and Early Help Leader nhartmann@topsham.devon.sch.uk
If any parent has a safeguarding concern or query about ANY child within our community, please email for advice.
IF ANY ADULT FEELS A CHILD OR ADULT MAY BE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER YOU MUST CALL MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) OR 999
“If you are worried about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety please contact the MASH on
0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.”
Devon Children and Families Partnership.
COVID-19 updates for parents/carers:
As a school, we are receiving information and updates from a wide range of sources including the Department for Education and Devon County Council. As the situation evolves, we will endeavour to collate the information that is relevant to parents and share this with you on a weekly basis via the school newsletter.
