30th November 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
As I am sure you are aware, the Prime Minister held a briefing at the weekend where he outlined additional measures that the government will be putting into place to tackle the new Covid 19 variant. Following this all schools have received correspondence updating guidance for educational settings. In summary, all staff, visitors, and students in Y7 or above, should wear a face covering unless they are exempt. We also strongly encourage all staff and students to continue to carry out regular twice weekly lateral flow tests.
Our priority remains to deliver face-to-face, high-quality education to our students, while maintaining proportionate control measures and we have been following DfE and Public Health guidance for the last few months. Don Valley Academy will continue to:
- Maximise ventilation of classrooms
- Carry out additional cleaning, with a focus on frequently touched surfaces
- Use fogging machines to clean communal areas and classrooms on a rota basis
- Carry out activities such as PE outside, as much as possible
- Encourage hand and respiratory hygiene amongst staff and pupils.
- Advise visitors to stay away if they have any symptoms.
Furthermore, we will continue with our enhanced measures until the end of this term.
- Students will remain in their year group at break times
- Students will remain in their year group at lunch times
- Face coverings will be required on buses to and from the Academy, unless exemptions apply
- Your child should continue to attend school unless they develop symptoms of Covid-19 or are unwell. If they do develop symptoms, please keep your child at home and book a PCR test for them.
Covid 19 Testing in January 2022
The updated guidance also outlines plans for Covid 19 testing in educational settings on return in January 2022. As on previous occasions, we will continue to test those students for whom we have received parental consent. If the consent you have given previously has changed please contact the Academy by email info@donvallacademy.org.uk before Wednesday 15th December 2021.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely
Mrs H Thornton
Principal