9^th November 2021

Dear Parent or Carer

As you know, we continue to do all we possibly can to maintain high-quality, face-to-face education for all of our Galley Hill pupils while also doing everything we can to keep our school community safe. Since the start of the year, we have had to plan for the possibility of an outbreak (considered to be 5 positive PCR tests across the school or 10% of a class) and consider what actions we would take to reduce further spread.

Unfortunately, an outbreak has now been declared at Galley Hill due to the number of positive cases here.  In line with the latest national guidance and as required by the Public Health team of Hertfordshire County Council we are therefore implementing our Outbreak Management Plan and will be reintroducing the following measures until 07.12.21 when they will be reviewed to see if they are still necessary. We may continue to add additional measures should the situation continue to become worse.    

Face Coverings

• Primary settings - Re-introduction of face coverings for visitors and staff in corridors and communal areas, including staffrooms (where close contact cannot be avoided).
• Parents – Reintroduction of wearing face coverings anywhere on the school grounds please (this includes at drop off and pick up time).

Start and End of the Day

• Please limit the time spent on the school site before and after school.
• Do not arrive at the school site before 8:45am (8:30am for children in morning Nursery) when the classroom doors open.
• For children in Years 1 to 6 the soft start between 8:45am and 8:55am will continue to be in place.
• Reception Garnet children will line up on the playground and be collected at 8:45am. Reception Turquoise will line up on the playground and go in at 8:55am.
• While waiting on the playground before or after school, children should remain with their parents. The play trails should not be in use.

Limiting activities

• Planned events and activities will be reviewed and risk assessments conducted to determine if these can proceed in line with an agreed system of additional controls or should be postponed. We will update you regarding events trying to give as much notice as possible.

Re-introduction of bubbles

• Classes that are impacted by the outbreak will be placed back into a bubble. We will be reducing contact between them and the rest of the children in the school.

Testing

• If your child has been in close contact with a confirmed case(s) they should be been contacted by Track and Trace and advised to take a PCR test. 
• We encourage parents and staff to participate in twice weekly LFD testing.

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General COVID information

Symptoms

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you are not sure whether you or your child’s symptoms suggest that they have coronavirus or an everyday cough or cold, you can consult this online NHS symptom checker: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If you are concerned about your child’s health or the health of anyone else in your household please seek advice from your GP, use NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk/ or call NHS 111.

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19:

• 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 to your destination 
• 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 is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Thank you for your co-operation, we wish those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) a speedy recovery.

Yours sincerely

Mrs E. Birch

Headteacher

Appendix A

How to book a test online when you have been identified as a close contact but do not have symptoms yourself

1. Go to Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2. Scroll down and select start now
3. Is the person who needs a test an essential worker? Select NO
4. Test available scroll to bottom Select continue
5. Does the person who needs a test have coronavirus symptoms? Select NO, none of these symptoms
6. Has the person been asked to get a follow-up test? Select NO
7. Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project? Select none of the above.
8. Why are you asking for a test? Select I’ve been told to get a test by my local council, health protection team or healthcare professional. Then Select My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms. Select continue
9. Complete your details and select how you wish to receive your test.