This is the page where we will publish details about our approach to the Coronavirus (CV-19) Pandemic.  This will include regular updates to the school's Risk Assessment which is an adapted version, bespoke for St Joseph's School, taken from the LCC model RA which their Health and Safety team have published for Leeds schools.

Please see below the latest version of our school CV-19 Risk Assessment.  This RA has not been updated by LCC yet and once it is then I shall update the website:

Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Please see below a letter from LCC about the new arrangements in school after PM Johnson's recent CV-19 announcement:

Sunday, 27 February 2022

The guidance around Covid-19 has changed for the whole country and these changes have implications for schools too.  The guidance for schools is below:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057106/220224_Schools_guidance.pdf 

The headlines are as follows:

• There is no longer an expectation for staff/pupils to do asymptomatic testing (LFD Tests twice a week) [However, we may be advised to reinstate this if there is an outbreak in a school.]
• Face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in classrooms or communal areas though we will still be encouraging staff to wear them in communal areas to keep the infection rate under control.
• Contact tracing has now ended
• If your child has symptoms you should keep them off school and oder a PCR test and stay at home until the result comes back
  • If negative PCR then your child can come back to school as long as they are feeling ok
  • If your child tests positive (LFD or PCR) they MUST stay off school and do LFD on days 5/6 if LFD is negative and they are feeling well then they can come back to school
  • Please follow the latest HM Govt. advice here:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts 
• Main symptoms still include
  • high temperature,
  • new, continuous cough,
  • loss or change to taste or smell
• but other symptoms linked with COVID-19 include:
  • shortness of breath,
  • fatigue,
  • loss of appetite,
  • muscle ache,
  • sore throat,
  • headache,
  • stuffy or runny nose,
  • diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
• Schools are to maintain their strict cleaning regimes
• HAND HYGIENE is to remain in place
  • Please make sure you clean your children's hand before they come to school (and wash them when you get home).
  • Children will sanitise their hands as they enter and leave the classroom (and on returning from the toilet)
  • Children will sanitise their hands before they eat
• We are also to try and keep classrooms well ventilated so windows will remain open.

I do not want to be a Negative Nellie here but I would really urge you to maintain a cautious approach to this virus which has not gone!  It is still winter and people who are triple vaccinated are still getting the virus and are still being quite poorly with it.  Yes, we need to learn to live alongside the virus but that does not mean 'throwing caution to the wind' (to quote PM Johnson) so please be vigilant and careful especially in crowded places with people you don't know.  The last thing we need is another spike in the virus.

Finally, please keep the people of Ukraine (and the ordinary Russian people) in your prayers.  Pope Francis has called all Christians to make Ash Wednesday a day of prayer for peace: https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/A-prayer-for-Ukraine 

With every good wish,

Mr Hutchinson and Mrs Munnelly

Monday, 10 January 2022

I have updated the RA this morning with some revised information for staff.  In this, and future versions, the revised control measures will be written in RED type. 

There are some important new regulations that come into force this week especially around the use of PCR tests to confirm your LFD test if it comes out as positive.  From tomorrow, 11 Jan 2022:

• If you, or your child, tests positive on a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test then you do not need to have a PCR test to confirm it.  (This is only a temporary measure to ease the burden on the NHS because of case numbers)
• If you, or your child, test positive then you should begin your period of isolation as before and test yourself with a LFD test on Day 6 and Day 7.  (Please look at the flow chart below... it's complicated I know, so if you're not sure speak to someone in school like Mrs Mahoney or Mrs Munnelly.)
• However, if you test negative on your LFD but still have symptoms, then you should still book in for a PCR test.  This has not changed. You should isolate until you have had your PCR test and received the results.

The latest advice from HM Govt about suspending PCR tests is here:

Suspension of PCR Tests Jan 2022

Please look carefully at the flow chart below:

It's here in slightly larger PDF form too:

What should I do if I am Covid-19 positive but my child has tested negative? (or vice versa)

If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 but you are still negative on LFD, you are not legally required to self-isolate if you are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 years and 6 months.

However, you are strongly advised to:

• take an LFD test every day for 7 days, or until 10 days after the household member who has COVID-19 started their self-isolation period if this is earlier;
• take this daily LFD test before you leave your home for the first time that day;
• Report your LFD test results after taking each test. Regular LFD tests are not recommended for children aged under 5.

They should continue to attend school unless they develop symptoms.

If you take an LFD test and the result is positive, you should immediately self-isolate to prevent you from passing the infection on to other people.

From 11 January in England, people who receive positive LFD test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) but do not have any symptoms will be required to self-isolate immediately but won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

Anyone who develops 1 of the 3 main COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home, self-isolate immediately and take a PCR test – these rules have not changed. If this PCR test result is positive, you must self-isolate and follow the advice for people who have COVID-19.  If this PCR test result is negative, you can stop self-isolating, but you should continue to take your daily LFD tests. Please follow this advice until the household member who has COVID-19 reaches the end of their self-isolation period.

I know this looks complicated but basically it means that you can test yourself on Day 6 and Day 7 and if you are clear on Day 7 then your child can return to school that day.  HOWEVER, if they still have symptoms of Day 7-10 then they should isolate until Day 10 as before.  

I know... not my rules and I have tried to make them as straightforward as possible.  If you're not sure... just ask.  We'll try and guide you through.

The latest HM Government Advice for schools and families is here:

 Latest HM Govt Advice on Stay at Home Guidance

I hope all this helps,

Stay safe.  Stay strong. Stay socially distanced.

God bless,

Mr Hutchinson