Coronavirus Updates
Covid-19 Vaccination for children aged 12 to 16 years of age
Please see the letter below from Salford Royal Care Organisation:
Dear parent/carer
Recently you may have completed an online consent form for your child to receive the Covid-19 vaccination at a session run by the school nurses in your child’s school.
Some children were unable to receive child the vaccination for several reasons:
- they were absent on the day,
- the form wasn’t received in time,
- your child had a COVID infection within the last 12 weeks (84 days),
- your child had a 1st dose of the vaccination within the previous 12 weeks (84 days).
Unfortunately, the school nursing service are not able to offer revisits to the schools, however we would like to let you know that you are able to access alternative vaccination sessions via the national booking system which can be found on the government website by accessing the weblink below, or alternatively you can call 119 to book and appointment in your local area.
The main purpose of the Covid-19 school age immunisation programme is to provide protection to the children who receive the vaccine as this may help to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 within the wider community. By ensuring that your child receives the COVID-19 vaccination you and they will be helping to play your part in reducing the risk of Covid-19 spreading.
The link above can be used to book a 1st or 2nd vaccination.
For your child to receive the second dose of the vaccine it must be a minimum of 12 weeks since they received the 1st dose, additionally, if your child has had a positive PCR test or positive LFT test for Covid-19, unfortunately they must now wait a minimum of 12 weeks from the date of the test until they are able to receive the vaccination.
If you have any questions call 0161 206 8821 or email IMMS.team5-19@nca.nhs.uk
Best wishes,
0-19 Universal Childrens Services.
Salford Royal Care Organisation
Friday 14 January 2022 : Changes to the self-isolation period for those who test positive for Covid-19
From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with Covid-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.
You must also email photo evidence of the day 5 and day 6 negative LFD tests to: covidresults@coopswinton.co.uk before your child can return to school.
If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation.
Tuesday 11 January : Updated guidance from the Department for Education
Dear parents/carers, please see the updated guidance from the Department for Education which has been issued to all schools today, 11 January 2022.
Temporary suspension of confirmatory PCR tests in education and childcare settings
Confirmatory PCR testing following a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be temporarily suspended from today, Tuesday 11 January. This means that for all education and childcare settings, staff and students who have tested (either at home or through ATS) and reported a positive LFD result will no longer be advised to get a confirmatory PCR test.
Public Health guidance is that only one Lateral Flow Test per day (24 hour period) should be completed. When carrying out a LFD test all surface areas should be cleaned beforehand and hands washed so the area and person is not cross contaminating.
Please note, if you receive a positive result from either a LFD or PCR test you should take a lateral flow test on days 6 and 7 of your isolation period. If both of these tests are negative you are OK to return to school on the 7th day as soon as we have received proof of the negative result. You must email photos of the day 6 and day 7 negative LFD tests as evidence to: covidresults@coopswinton.co.uk
This change is informed by public health advice. With high COVID-19 rates, the risk of a positive LFD result being false is very small. We therefore don’t need to ask people to do a confirmatory PCR unless they:
- have symptoms (in which case they need to follow the stay at home guidance, self-isolate and order a PCR test)
- wish to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment
- have been advised to take a PCR test because they are in a clinically vulnerable group
- have been advised to do so as part of a research or surveillance programme
Education and childcare settings are not expected to trace contacts of a positive case as this will remain the responsibility of NHS Test and Trace. From today, Tuesday 11 January, contact tracing is triggered once a positive LFD test is reported.
Students should be strongly encouraged to test twice weekly at home and to report all results to NHS Test and Trace and to their setting. Anyone with a positive LFD test result should self-isolate and follow self-isolation guidance.
Information on the new arrangements can be found in the stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection
Tuesday 11 January : Covid-19 vaccination programme for children aged 12-16
Dear parent/carer
Please see below a letter from Salford Royal Care Organisation regarding 1st and 2nd dose Covid-19 vaccination programme for children aged 12 to 16.
The Immunisations Team will be visiting our academy on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
Please read the letter fully and use their secure online form (via QR code in the letter below) to provide your consent if you wish for your child to receive the vaccine. You can also complete the secure online form by accessing this link: https://form.jotform.com/213506422039044
Please note, no child will receive a vaccine without consent. Replies to the online form go directly to the Immunisations Team and not our academy. If you have any questions you should call 0161 206 8821 or email: IMMS.team5-19@srft.nhs.uk
Please also see below for an ‘Information Guide for children and young people’ from the NHS.
Tuesday 4 January 2022 : Face Coverings and Routine Reminders
Dear Parents & Carers
I hope you are well and have enjoyed the Christmas break. I am writing to provide you with some updates and routine reminders for our return to the academy this week.
Face coverings in classrooms and communal areas
As you will be aware, the government has announced that when schools reopen this week, staff and students in secondary schools should wear a face covering in both communal areas and classrooms, unless they are medically exempt. Please send your child to school with at least one face-covering, preferably a reusable one. If your child is exempt please contact us and we will provide a pass for them.
The government will review this guidance on 26 January and we will communicate any changes to you as soon as information is made available.
Testing at home before returning to the academy
It is recommended that all students and staff take one self-test at home either the evening or morning before they return. Testing kits can be collected on Tuesday 4 January from reception between 8am-3pm.
Remote learning
Our staff have been and will continue to be affected by the increased spread of Covid, either through isolating themselves or caring for isolating dependents. If staff absences are at such a level that we cannot safely accommodate all students onsite, we may need to ask some year groups to learn from home at short notice. We will communicate as quickly as we are able to if this is the case. If you haven’t already done so, please complete our remote learning survey: https://forms.gle/FBNErvQi27nJJhP7A and we will provide devices for students who need them.
Routine LFD asymptomatic testing
We strongly encourage parents to support their children to test at home twice a week. If you need kits, please let us know as we do have some stock in the academy. Please report any positive cases to us at school by emailing: covidresults@coopswinton.co.uk
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must isolate and you should arrange a test for your child via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or by calling 119. If the test result is positive, your child will be required to self-isolate. Please inform us if your child has a positive test result.
Hand hygiene
Students, staff and visitors should continue to maintain good hand hygiene, increasing the frequency of hand washing where possible. There are hand sanitising stations located across the site and students should make regular use of these.
Thank you for your continued support as we try to keep our community safe.
Yours faithfully
Zarina Ali, Head of Academy
Information Sheet
If you think that someone in your household has come in contact with a confirmed case or you need help or advice about self-isolation, please call the Spirit of Salford helpline on 0800 952 1000.
Public Health Advice on symptoms
If anyone in your household becomes unwell with one of the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) please isolate them immediately and book a test by ringing 119 or go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/
Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
- A new continuous cough
- A high temperature (fever)
- A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
Any one of the above symptoms gives reason for high level of suspicion for COVID-19.
Information about COVID-19 symptoms and management of the virus can be found here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
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
- 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/
Risk Assessment
Co-op Academy Swinton Operational Risk Assessment for school opening, September 2021: