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Covid-19 Updates for Parents
On this page we'll keep you updated with anything you need to know in relation to Covid-19 and both primary and secondary phases of the academy.
Update: 19th October 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
We are very much looking forward to having students back at school on Monday 2nd November 2020. The usual staggered start times will apply for all year groups and these can be found on the Timings of the Day page our website. As you will have seen on the news, London has now moved into ‘Tier 2’ of the Government’s COVID alert system.
For all of us, this means that there is a ban on mixing with other households indoors. When schools return after half-term, in accordance with the guidance we have received from the Government, students in all London secondary schools, will be required to wear face coverings in communal areas, for example, when entering the building and in corridors. They will need to remove their face coverings when they get to their classroom and store them safely in clear bags.
Some students have been wearing face coverings in communal areas anyway, but whilst London is in ‘Tier 2’ everybody should now adhere to this rule. We recognise that some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, such as, if they have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from using one; if you are unsure whether this applies to your child, please contact us. Likewise, if obtaining a face covering poses a financial difficulty for your family, please let us know and we will provide one.
As always, if you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Academy.
Stay Safe!
Yours faithfully
Mr West, Head of Academy
PS This and all previous letters to parents relating to Covid-19 can also be found in our Letters Home page.
National Guidance on Coronavirus
Symptoms of coronavirus
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
What to do if someone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19
If someone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared.
All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.
The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ or by phoning 111.
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. Do:
- 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
Government guidance
The government has now published its final guidance on the wider re-opening of schools. You can read the latest government guidence HERE.
Staggered arrival and dismissal times
Please visit our Timings of the Day page for details of the staggered start and finish times for each year group in both primary and secondary phases.
Bus travel - important changes
From September until the end of October, TfL are planning to make the following changes to buses serving Harris Garrard Academy:
- Route 180 is planned to run every other bus dedicated for school travel in the morning
- Route 401 is planned to run with two additional bus dedicated for school travel in the morning peak
- Route 601 is planned to run with three additional bus dedicated for school travel in the morning peak and two additional buses dedicated for school travel in the afternoon peak
- Route B11 is planned to run with one additional bus dedicated for school travel in the morning peak
However, please do walk or cycle to school instead of taking public transport, if you can. To find out more about the new online Cycle Skills course, aimed at both those cycling for the first time, or those wishing to refresh their skills, click HERE.
Face coverings - clarification
When schools return after the October half-term, in accordance with the guidance we have received from the Government, students in all London secondary schools, will be required to wear face coverings in communal areas, for example, when entering the building and in corridors. They will need to remove their face coverings when they get to their classroom and store them safely in clear bags.
Some students have been wearing face coverings in communal areas anyway, but whilst London is in ‘Tier 2’ everybody should now adhere to this rule. We recognise that some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, such as, if they have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from using one; if you are unsure whether this applies to your child, please contact us. Likewise, if obtaining a face covering poses a financial difficulty for your family, please let us know and we will provide one.
Our overall plan
- The Academy will reopen to students in all year groups from September 2020
- Students must return to their compulsory education
- We shall be placing groups of students into ‘bubbles’ in all phases to reduce the risk of transmission
- Students will continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum, as you would expect from HGA
- Students will return in full academy uniform, including academy bag
We have taken steps to ensure that the Academy is a COVID secure workplace for staff and students and the safety of our community remains a top priority. We implemented the following:
- We have implemented new hygiene rules and hand washing routines for students
- Extensive and advanced thorough cleaning of the Academy, using strong cleaning products such as bleach
- Floor markings to help students recognise what a safe distance is from each other
- A staggered start to the Academy day, staggered breaks and lunch times, to reduce contact with others
- Reduction in the number of visitors to the Academy
See our plan for remote learning in the event of one or more students needing to return to remote learning.
Expectations
The following outlines what students must do while at the Academy:
- Arrive to the Academy at your allocated time only
- Students will wash hands before entering the academy building
- Students will wash hands before eating
- Students are to remain in their bubble at all times
- Maintain social distancing where appropriate and able
- Students will avoid using shops before or after school
I have also amended the mobile phone policy whilst students are at the Academy. We operate a ‘not seen and not heard’ system, so that students are able to carry mobile phones at the Academy in readiness for an NHS Track and Trace App to help control the virus.
We do ask for your support at the end of the school day if you are picking your child up, in ensuring that you do not wait outside the Academy, which would prevent students and staff from social distancing from yourselves and each other.
Thank you.
Steve West, Head of Academy
