Dear Parent / Carers
The Priory School and all other schools in England receive daily updates from the Department of Education on the coronavirus situation. Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire, Professor Jim McManus, are actively engaging with schools. The key message about how to deal with coronavirus has not changed.
A planned trip to Sorrento (Southern Italy) went out this morning. We have followed the advice from the Foreign Office, HCC and the Department of Education to ensure that our actions were based on the most up-to-date information.
Last night the whole of Italy was placed in Category 2. All this means is that if a student or member of staff returning from Sorrento has flu-like symptoms then they are to self-isolate and call NHS 111. This was the same situation with the ski trip to Italy that returned after half term. The expectation is that all students and staff will be back in school on Tuesday 10th March if fit and healthy.
I would encourage parents and carers to ensure that they are fully up to date with the latest guidance from the NHS and Public Health England.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
The school has a duty of care for students and staff alike. As the Head of the school, I would not place at risk any of my students or colleagues, including those staff who may not be in the best of health and my colleagues’ children who attend the school.
Decisions are made about the coronavirus at school on the advice from experts in the NHS and Public Health. I trust the professional advice these experts give so that schools can continue to perform their core function of educating your child.
If and when additional advice on the coronavirus is presented to the school I can assure you that the school community will be notified.
Kind regards
Geraint Edwards