Dear Parent / Carer
COVID‐19 Update
This letter is to inform you that we are seeing COVID‐19 levels rise in the school. The number of cases is particularly high in Key Stage 3, which seems to reflect the picture across secondary schools in Hertfordshire. As of this morning there are 42 secondary schools classified as ‘in an outbreak’, including The Priory School.
As we approach the last week of this half term we have started to struggle with the number of staff who have contracted COVID‐19. This has caused and will continue to cause a disruption to lessons as there has been an increased need to cover absent colleagues. In my letter dated 4th January (on the website) I outlined the approaches we would use in respect of in‐house cover, remote learning and blended learning. I would encourage you to refamiliarise yourself with that section of the letter.
Testing
Our delayed order of home testing kits was delivered this morning, so all students should arrive home with a pack of tests this afternoon. Please can they continue to test at least twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays) and if you are aware that your child has been in close contact with a positive case they should do daily tests (1 a day for 7 days) as per the guidance.
Self‐Isolation
If your child tests positive please report their test result on GOV.UK. Please then send the notification you will receive from the NHS to covid19@priory.herts.sch.uk. Please also let us know the day their symptoms started if they had any.
The self‐isolation period includes the day the symptoms started (or the day of the test if they do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. They can return to school on day 11 unless they have a high temperature.
If they were asymptomatic and get any of the main symptoms of COVID‐19 while they are self‐isolating, the 10 days restarts from the day after their symptoms started.
Ending self‐isolation early
Your child may be able to stop isolating early. They can do an LFD test from day 5 of their self‐isolation period (but not before) and another test the next day (at least 24 hours apart). They can stop self‐isolating if:
- both tests are negative; and
- they do not have a high temperature
Please report their test result after each test. Please send the notifications you will receive from the NHS to covid19@priory.herts.sch.uk.
They should stop testing after they have had 2 negative test results in a row and return to school on the second day.
Face coverings
Currently students and staff can wear a face covering if they wish. However, there may come a point next week where specific form or year groups will be asked to wear face coverings in lessons and communal areas. This would be in line with our Outbreak Management Plan and supported by the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire.
If students have family members in their household with COVID‐19, I strongly encourage them to wear a face covering whilst at school.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Geraint Edwards