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9 January 2022

 

Dear Parents/Carers

Class Closure and COVID Contact: Mulberry and Chestnut

Throughout this week we have experienced an unprecedented amount of staff absences due to COVID-19.  At the start of the week 15% of the workforce were absent from work due to COVID however through the weekend this has grown significantly to 20%.  The impact of their isolation is significant, and we do anticipate this to grow in the coming weeks.

A member of staff from both the Mulberry and Chestnut classes have tested positive for COVID and if your child has been in school between 4 – 7 January 2022 they have been identified as a close contact.  The following advice therefore applies:

  • Daily LFT testing for 7 days, where possible.
  • If any of the LFT tests come back as positive (two lines on the test strip) you do not need to get a PCR test. You will need to assume the test is positive and follow government guidance to isolate. Please inform the school via email at headteacher@westminster.sandwell.sch.uk.
  • If your child develops symptoms they must isolate and obtain a PCR test.

We have been in close collaboration with Sandwell Public Health as it is apparent that due to challenges of capacity we are unable to maintain appropriate and safe staffing levels to open some of our classes.  Consequently, we will need to close the Mulberry and Chestnut Classes for the week beginning 10 January 2022.  Students will be able to return on Thursday 20 January 2022 if they are symptom free.  Children in these class groups do not need to isolate unless they develop symptoms or test positive on either a LFT or PCR. I apologise for any inconvenience this will cause your family; these decisions have been made to keep everyone safe.

Online lessons will be delivered each day from our working from home team and we would encourage attendance if this is at all possible.  Access to this content can be found at https://thewestminsterschool.co.uk/class-groups/ This will be 3 x 30-minute lessons each day.  If you require a laptop device to access the online content, please contact the school and we will arrange for a device to be loaned to you.  Please ensure the device is brought back to school on Thursday 20 January 2022.

The following scenario applies.  My child is in a class where a member(s) of the class team tested positive and the school does not have sufficient capacity to safely open the class group.

  • The child will need to remain away from school for a period and will be able to return to school on Thursday 20 January 2022.
  • Transport will be cancelled for the period of class closure and will be reinstated on Thursday 20 January 2022.
  • They do not need to isolate unless they develop symptoms.
  • It is highly recommended to complete daily testing for 7 days.

If your child develops any of the following symptoms at any point during their isolation, please arrange another PCR test:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature and/or
  • a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child’s PCR test comes back positive, please ring the School on 0121 561 6884.   We would be grateful if you could send a copy of all test results to headteacher@westminster.sandwell.sch.uk.

Thank you for your continued support during these exceptionally challenging times. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the School.

Yours faithfully

 

O M Flowers
Head Teacher