From Monday 8^th March, attendance at school will again be mandatory.  This means from that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, including:

• parents’ duty to secure that their child attends regularly at school, where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age;
• schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
• the availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct

We understand that there may be some situations where children will be unable to attend school. These will be for the normal reasons, such as sickness, religious observance or emergency medical appointments. In addition to these occasions, there will be some children unable to attend following public health guidance.

The following reasons are the only occasions when a child’s absence will be authorised in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic:

• If a pupil is self-isolating because they have had symptoms or a positive test result themselves; or because they are a close contact of someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19).
• If a pupil is deemed ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and in with discussion with their specialist health professional, they have been advised to shield. In this case, the school will provide remote learning.

Please note that if your child is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, then you will be required to book a test as a matter of urgency and notify us of the result before they return to school. If you do not have your child tested, we will not authorise their absence.

We would like to remind you that if your child is required to self-isolate, then they must stay at home at all times. They must not be brought to the school to collect siblings and must not be allowed out to play with friends.

Notification of Covid-19 test results

It is important that we are informed of any positive or suspected Covid-19 cases within our school community in order that we can track and trace close contacts. Going forward this includes weekends as well.

To notify the school please click here.  You should receive further communication requesting essential information which allows us to establish all close contacts. A member of staff may call you as well.

This is an extremely important process to follow to ensure the safety of pupils and school staff.

If you, your child, or a member of your household or support bubble receives a positive test result during normal school hours please telephone the main office immediately on 020 8270 4909

Attendance & Travelling Overseas 

Return from Abroad

If you have travelled abroad during the recent national lockdown, it is imperative that you follow the quarantine requirements upon your return to the UK.

If you have returned from any country that is not a common area of travel (Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) then you must quarantine for ten days, and take a Covid -19 test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantining.

If you have returned from a country which is on the Red Travel Ban list, then you must quarantine for 10 days in a quarantine managed hotel, and take a Covid -19 test on day 2 and day 8 of your quarantine.

If your quarantine period overlaps with your child’s return to school, please let us know as soon as possible. We will require you to send us copies of your flight information beforehand. Please send any details regarding your return to the UK to our dedicated email address covid@five-elms.bardaglea.org.uk.

The advice from the government regarding this is regularly changing, so please ensure you are aware of the most up-to-date guidance regarding the country you are travelling to. It is vital, for the health of our children and staff (some who may still be considered vulnerable) that the advice is followed. 

We completely understand that some parents will still have concerns regarding their child’s return to school, and so we would ask you to please contact a member of our Attendance team if you would like any further reassurance or if you have any questions.

Visiting our school site

When dropping your child off, or waiting to pick them up, you must:

• wear a face mask (unless you are exempt from wearing one)
• stay at least 2 metres away from others

Self-isolation

Do not send your child to school if:

• they are showing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
• someone in their household is showing symptoms, is awaiting a test result or has tested positive for Covid-19

Please also self-isolate yourself and your family for the advised amount of time if you have just returned from a country on the Government’s quarantine list.

Tests

Arrange a test only if you or your child develops symptoms, has been contacted back the school or track and trace and please inform us of the results.

Only send your child to school if they are well enough to attend. If you need help deciding on whether you should send them school or not, contact the school office on 0203 727 5171 or click the link to see the advice given by the NHS

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Please note: Advice from the NHS may differ slightly to that of the school.

All visitors to the school are required to wear face masks on the school premises.