Dear parent / carers

Re: COVID school update from Staffordshire County Council

Covid-19 rates in Staffordshire are now some of the highest in the UK, and we must do everything we can to reduce these rates and stop the spread of the virus in our communities.

The biggest numbers of cases are in the 11 to 18 age group, with schools and colleges in Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands and Lichfield particularly badly affected.

Because of this, we are asking all schools and parents to do what they can to minimise the spread of Covid-19.
As a parent, you can help by continuing to LFT test your child twice a week. If they are showing any symptoms of Covid-19 you must keep them off school and get a PCR test as soon as possible at a local testing site.

If another member of your household tests positive for Covid-19, we strongly recommend that all members of your household get PCR tests as a precaution. We would also advise you to stay at home until you get your result.
We have also put together some extra measures that schools are being encouraged to take to limit the spread.

These include:

 The reintroduction of class bubbles
 No all-school events like assemblies for the time being
 Enhanced cleaning, especially in high-risk areas
 Staggering of start, end and lunch times
 Possible reintroduction of face coverings in secondary schools
 Request that all contacts of positive cases are asked to get a PCR test
 Where pupils/staff have a sibling/parent/guardian/other member in their household who is a confirmed case there is a high risk of infection. PCR testing strongly advised for all household contacts. Pupils/staff household contacts advised to stay at home pending PCR test result – this will normally take 48-72 hours.
 Promotion of the vaccine to eligible pupils and staff
 Consideration of other pre-summer break Covid controls where the school sees fit to do so.

If infection rates escalate, some schools may need to close for short period and move lessons online (for some classes/year groups), to prevent the spread and reduce ongoing transmission.

Your school will let you know which (if any) of these measures they will be implementing in the coming days. These measures are not compulsory, and schools continue to develop their own Outbreak Management Plans. However, if your school has chosen to introduce some or all of these measures, we ask that you please support them and do everything you can to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Yours sincerely,

Staffordshire County Council