I am writing to give a further update as regards COVID in school last week.

The last week saw the lowest attendance ever (other than lockdown) and over 100 children off school each day in the second half of the week. A large majority of these children had COVID, were in the closed 5K class or were isolating with family members and/or awaiting PCR results.

Overall, new cases were very similar to the exceptionally high previous week:

Amongst children, however, the curve does seem to be turning, with many fewer new pupil cases towards the end of the week. (The upturn this weekend is almost all new staff cases, largely on Sunday which is one of our two routine test days.)

New COVID cases continue to be more common in the Juniors, although 1B has had quite a few this week:

Class 5W is clearly a significant concern, but we haven’t closed this class as the cases have typically come in a steady pattern over a longer period rather than an overwhelming wave as was the case in 5K. We will keep this under review. We will try to post some work on Google Classroom for older pupils and provide some home working packs, but the remote education offer will necessarily be limited whilst teachers are still in school teaching their usual classes.

Class 5K reopens tomorrow (Monday) and we expect to welcome most of those children back. Well over 2/3 of this class have tested positive in the past fortnight. There will probably be three classes tomorrow without their usual teacher but we will be covering these with familiar other adults wherever possible. A number of children with 1:1 support will also have alternative support as at least 4 TAs will be off all week. Some general class support, pastoral and intervention groups may not take place this week. I expect to be back in school on Tuesday.

Enhanced COVID control measures will remain in place this coming week in KS2 including a suspension of peripatetic music lessons, and some PE and extra-curricular clubs where classes would have mixed. Some KS2 classes are using alternative entrances as they did last week to reduce congestion.

Many thanks for your continued support and understanding.