Communication

In this section you will find the most recent communications from The Oaks Academy regarding Covid-19.

Updated Guidance 3.5.22

The Oaks Academy Covid Update

Important questions – Please let school know the answers to these in the event of feeling unwell or a positive LFD test:

How do you feel?

Do you have a temperature?

Are you able to test at home?

Have you checked your initial positive test outcome with a re-test 12-24hrs later.

The following guidance is now in place if students or staff are unwell with Covid-19 symptoms:

  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school when they no longer have a high temperature, and they feel well enough to attend. 
  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature. 
  • In the event that a Covid-19 test is taken, adults with a positive test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice is 3. Please continue to notify us if you do use a test and test positive.
  • There is no longer a requirement for students or staff to return a negative test before returning to school once they have remained at home for the recommended period of time. However a return of negative tests can reduce the time needed out of school, please let school know when you are negative.
  • Is there anything you need from school to help?
  • Ventilation and ongoing hygiene measures will continue to be in place in school.

Updated Guidance 28.1.22

Face Masks

In light of government guideline changes (January 27th 2022) The Oaks Academy will continue to ask for mask to be worn in classrooms and in communal areas, this includes the school bus. We feel that these are supportive measures to keep everyone and their families safe and well.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Covid-19 Update January 2022

Government information suggests that covid-19 infection rates are very high and the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. It is important that we all take steps to reduce the spread of covid-19 infection in the community to save lives and protect the NHS. To support the safe return of all members of our school community we will be facilitating two lateral flow tests for students on their return to the academy on Wednesday 5th January. In order for students to take part in testing within school we require your consent.  Once students have completed the tests in school they will need to test twice weekly at home until further notice.

Consent for Testing within School

Consent can be given very easily through an online form accessed on our website, you can also find information about the types of testing given in school. Concent form.  Please note that if you have already given your consent, we do not need you to complete this again, previous consent will be used. 

The guidance on LFD testing has been updated – previously people who had tested positive were advised not to LFD test for 90 days, this guidance has now been removed.

Face Masks

Following government guidance face masks are mandatory (unless exempt) for all within the communal spaces and classrooms of the academy. Please ensure you send your child with a face mask each day. Face coverings should be plain and appropriate for school or disposable versions.

Positive Cases

If your child tests positive for covid-19 they will not be able to attend the academy, they must begin self-isolation and take a PCR Test.  Please inform the academy about any positive case covid-19 case with a confirmed PCR result. The isolation period for children is 8 days and students can return to school if they are well and symptom free, and have had 2 negative LFD, at least 24 hours apart.

If you have a positive case within your household, students can continue to attend the academy but must take a lateral flow test every morning for 7 days. If within this period the test is positive or your child develops covid-19 symptoms they must remain at home and book a PCR test. 

Please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance for further information about self-isolation and PCR testing. 

Home Testing

All students are advised to take part in lateral flow device (LFD) home testing. We expect that our students complete these tests, twice weekly, on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.  All results should be reported to the NHS http://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result and any positive results reported to the school by phoning 01270 661223. Students will receive a further supply of lateral flow testing kits when they return to the academy, please encourage your child to take part in this testing.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

The first round of vaccinations took place in school on Friday 22nd October 2021. If your child received their vaccination on this date the second dose will be delivered on Thursday 17th February 2022. 

Not all students were eligible for this vaccination within school.  Information about organising a covid-19 vaccination for your child can be found by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-to-15/.

Remote Learning

If students are required to self-isolate they will need to access their work via Microsoft Teams, unless they are too unwell to do so. 

Last year we audited all electronic devices supplied to support students remotely learning and were confident that everyone who has asked for support had a device.  If your circumstances have changed, please let us know so that laptops can be redistributed so that all students are supported.  Any students who have borrowed a device from school should continue to use as required.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Kingdom
Headteacher