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______________________ Coronavirus Information

 

Update on 1st September 2021
Riverside Bridge School – COVID-19 Risk Assessment  for 2021-2022

 

Update on 31st December 2020
Riverside Bridge School – COVID-19 Risk Assessment 2020-2021

 

Update on 16th December 2020
Riverside Bridge School – Re-Opening Schools COVID-19 Risk Assessment

 

Update on 30th November 2020
Riverside Bridge School – Re-Opening Schools COVID-19 Risk Assessment
COVID-19 Catch Up Funding Statement
Update on 16th November 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have been advised that there has been a fourth confirmed case(s) of COVID-19 within the school.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and are following government guidance. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The school remains open and providing your child remains well they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19:
  • If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared.
  • All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.
  • The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
  • Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
  • Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
  • If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
·         new continuous cough and/or
·         high temperature
·         a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms / or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19.
Hands
·         Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
Face
·         Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
·         It is now compulsory to wear cloth face coverings on public transport, shops and several other indoor settings.
Space
·         Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
·         Keep your distance from people who are outside your household or support bubble.
·         Limit social gatherings (including abiding by the ‘rule of 6’) and avoid crowded places.

 

Further Information
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
Yours sincerely,
Mrs K Cerri, Headteacher

 

 

Update on 9th November 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have been advised that there have been three confirmed case(s) of COVID-19 within the school.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and are following government guidance. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
The school remains open and providing your child remains well they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19:
  • If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared.
  • All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.
  • The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
  • Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
  • Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
  • If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
·         new continuous cough and/or
·         high temperature
·         a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms / or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19.
Hands
·         Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
Face
·         Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
·         It is now compulsory to wear cloth face coverings on public transport, shops and several other indoor settings.
Space
·         Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
·         Keep your distance from people who are outside your household or support bubble.
·         Limit social gatherings (including abiding by the ‘rule of 6’) and avoid crowded places.

 

Further Information
Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
Yours sincerely,
Mrs K Cerri, Headteacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update on 18th September 2020
Re-Opening Schools COVID-19 Risk Assessment for September 2020 – Updated

 

 Update on 27th August 2020
School Re-opening Protocol

 

 Update on 12th August 2020
Re-Opening Schools COVID 19 Risk Assessment for September 2020

 

Update on 10th June 2020
Riverside Bridge School – Re-opening schools COVID-19 Risk Assessment from June 2020

 

Update on 22nd May 2020
Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s),
As you will be aware Riverside Bridge School, in line with Government advice, has ceased normal operations from Friday 20th March 2020. The government are currently in the process of assessing whether schools will begin a phased re-opening to some pupils from Monday 1st June 2020.
Unfortunately Riverside Bridge School will not be in a position to open on Monday 1st June 2020.  Should the government go ahead with their plans on re-opening schools, Riverside Bridge School will be opening its doors to some more pupils from Monday 8th June 2020.  All parents will receive a text message to advise if their child should be attending school from Monday 8th June 2020 or if they should remain at home.
Initially the government has stated that when the phased re-opening of schools begins, the pupils allowed back into school should be from year groups (reception, year 1 and year 6).  However, this is not the case for special schools.  The guidance for special schools is
                “special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools to work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups and informed by risk assessments”
As a result of individual risk assessments carried out on each child and the results of the parents’ survey that was sent out earlier this week we have identified some pupils that will be returning to school when the government issues the advice to re-open schools.  If your child has been selected to return to school on the re-opening of schools you will receive a text message advising you of this.  If your child has not been selected to return on this phase of re-opening you will receive a text message advising you of this.
If your child is not being offered a placement at school the weekly contact telephone calls will continue so we can keep in touch with our families and pupils.  If your child is entitled to free school meals they will continue to receive the e-codes until the government changes this procedure.  Parents/carers will not be issued any fines for pupil non-attendance at school during this current crisis situation.
For those that will be offered a placement at school the following measures are being put in place:
  • School open times will be 9:15am to 2:30pm
  • If your child travels to school via transport, the transport department will be in touch with you regarding pick up and drop off times and places.
  • If you bring your child to school, we are asking that no parent/carer enters the building. There are marked spaces outside of the building for you to maintain social distancing.  A member of staff will come out of the building to collect/drop off your child.
  • In order to reduce the number of people on the school site we ask only 1 parent/carer to drop off or collect your child.
  • If you need to speak face to face with a member of staff please call ahead and make arrangements with reception. No parents will be allowed in the building unless pre-arranged.
  • Each class will become their own ‘bubble’. Children will remain in their bubble for the entirety of the day, including break and lunch times.
  • There will be no kitchen facilities on site. Therefore any pupil attending school will be required to bring in a packed lunch.
  • If your child is entitled to free school meals you will continue to receive the e-codes until the government changes this procedure.
  • Packed lunches will be eaten in the classrooms, supervised by the staff.
  • Resources will not be shared between classrooms
  • Pupils will only be allowed to access the toilets one at a time and this will be supervised/escorted to the toilets by staff, this also applies for pupils that are able to toilet themselves independently.
  • Your child will not necessarily be in a class with the peers from their previous class before closure.
  • Your child will not necessarily be supported by familiar adults.
  • Where there are children in the class that spit or display behaviours where there is a risk of bodily fluids splashing into the eyes/mouth, for example from coughing, spitting, or dribbling, then eye protection and masks will be worn by staff. This is optional for you to supply this for your child, but will only be allowed where this is a risk within the class your child is attending.
We will not be following our normal curriculum; students will participate in enrichment activities, such as crafts and sensory based activities.
Please note that although we will attempt to maintain social distancing, the nature of some of our pupils will mean this is not possible.
Students attending school will be required to arrive in full school uniform and bring their PE kit daily unless it is kept in school.
We remind all parents/carers that we will still be contactable via the Riverside Bridge School email account or the telephone number as above for any concerns or queries they may have.  We will continue to support our pupils and parents through what could become a difficult time over the coming months.  Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Many thanks as always for your support throughout this challenging period.
Kindest Regards,
Mrs K Cerri, Headteacher

 

 

Update on 9th May 2020
A little message to all our pupils and parents/carers. Just click the picture below and enjoy.

 

 

Update on 20th April 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you all had a restful Easter break and welcome to our very first remote summer term!
We’ve all had to adapt to new ways of working, so I wanted to take the opportunity to say what an amazing job you’re doing supporting your child’s wellbeing and learning during this time.
It’s definitely been a strange and challenging time, so it’s ok if you and your child feel wobbly and worried at the moment. We’re here for you every step of the way as we figure this all out together. Remember, if you have any concerns about helping your child learn or you need any other support from the school, please let us know by contacting us on the above email address. Please note you will be unlikely to speak directly to your child’s class teacher as we are operating on a skeleton staff.
We miss the children very much, but we must follow the government’s guidance to keep everyone in our community safe. So, we’re carrying on with our previous opening criteria. We are only open to children that are at significant risk if they were to stay at home. If your child is not attending school we will continue to make telephone contact with you. If you require any additional work to be sent home please advise us either during the telephone call or email us on the address above.
We also love seeing the children’s fantastic learning at home – please keep sending your child’s work in or send us pictures of some of the fun things you have been doing with your child.
In light of the announcement in yesterday’s Coronavirus update by the government, we can’t say yet when we’ll be able to open the school fully, but rest assured that we’ll continue doing our utmost to keep your child learning and our school community connected.
Let’s get cracking with our summer term!
Kindest regards,
Mrs K Cerri, Headteacher

 

 

Update on 23rd March 2020
Dear Parent/Carer,
As you will be aware Riverside Bridge School, in line with Government advice, has ceased normal operations from Friday 20th March 2020 until further notice. The majority of pupils are advised to stay at home until advised to return, however the Government have designated that certain categories of students may attend. Your child will have an individual risk assessment completed over the next few days in accordance with the most recent guidance, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance on vulnerable children and young people’ to assess if each child falls into either the category of being at significant risk if their education, health and care provision and placement does not continue OR if the child’s needs can be met at home.  The outcome of each risk assessment will be shared with parents/carers.  If it is deemed that your child falls into the first category, we welcome your child to attend daily, dependent on staffing levels.  Staffing will be allocated according to level of need of a placement and could change daily.   If your child falls into the first category, a text message will be sent on a daily basis to advise if your child is able to attend school.  However, we urge you to take note of the government advice as follows:
“… the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of  COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the  chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home,  wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.  (Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local  authorities in England on maintaining educational provision) 
Our current plan is that the school day will operate as normal as possible, starting at 9:15 am but finishing at 2.30 pm. Lessons will continue to be held where possible and break and lunch times will be as normal, with food available in the canteen. Please top up your child’s ParentPay account unless they are in receipt of free school meals.  We will not be following our normal curriculum; however, students will follow an adapted timetable where they will spend some time during the day accessing work set by teachers. For the remainder of the day, students will participate in enrichment activities, such as crafts and sensory based activities.  Please be aware that classes will be merged and therefore your child may not be in either their usual classroom or with their class peers they are regularly with and this could change on a daily basis.  In addition, the staff caring for any children that attend school may be changed on a daily basis.  We strongly advise you to consider if attending school is in their best interest in light of the disruption to routines.
If your child has any of the medical conditions that have been identified as being in the at-risk category of developing Coronavirus then we are advising you to keep your child at home for a period of 12 weeks in accordance with the government advice.  Likewise, if you live with anyone that falls into these categories, we are advising that your child does not attend school.
This group identified in the ‘Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK’ document includes those who are:
  • aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
  • under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (i.e anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds): 
  • chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthmachronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis 
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • chronic kidney disease
  • chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s diseasemotor neurone diseasemultiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
  • diabetes
  • problems with your spleen – for example,sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
  • a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tabletsor chemotherapy 
  • being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
  • those who are pregnant
Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice about the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.
People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:
  • people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immuno suppression medication
  • people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia who are at any stage of treatment
  • people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
  • people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)
Please note that although we will try to maintain social distancing, the nature of some of our pupils will mean this is not always possible.
Students attending school will be required to arrive in full school uniform and bring their PE kit daily unless it is kept in school.
For students who travel to school via school bus, Barking and Dagenham transport will be running a service at this present time.  The transport department will advise you on the procedures for collections and drop off.  Please note that the current provision may change and you will be advised of this accordingly.
We remind all parents/carers who decide to or are requested to keep their child at home that we will still be contactable via the Riverside Bridge School email account or the telephone number as above for any concerns or queries they may have.  We will continue to support our pupils and parents through what could become a difficult time over the coming months.  Please do not hesitate to contact us.  Alternatively, any pupil that is not attending school we will be keeping contact at least once per week via skype call or telephone call.  Please discuss any issues you may be having with your dedicated contact person.
If your child is not attending school and is entitled to free school meals, our school kitchen will be providing food parcels which will be ready for collection on Mondays until the government voucher scheme is in place.  You will receive a text message to advise that your child’s food parcel is ready for collection from the school office.  If you have indicated that you do not require assistance but your circumstances change, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will begin to issue you with a food parcel.
We would like to clarify, if your child is not attending school their attendance figures will not be affected.
Many thanks as always for your support throughout this challenging period.
Kindest Regards,
Mrs K Cerri, Headteacher

 

 

  Update on 16th March 2020
Along with a number of other schools in the local authority, Riverside Bridge School has been significantly affected by staff absence today, 16th March 2020, which is likely to continue at least for the rest of the week.
This has been caused in the main by staff following government advice to stay at home for fourteen days if they have a persistent cough or temperature. We want to stress that this is just a precaution; at this moment in time we do not have any confirmed cases of Covid-19 among staff or pupils.
The impact of reduced staff numbers means that it will not be possible to open all classes as normal from tomorrow, the 17th March 2020. Despite using all available staff resources, the school will unfortunately still have to close six classes until further notice. The parents of the pupils who need to be kept at home from tomorrow, 17th March 2020, will have been contacted by the school today, 16th March 2020. The school will keep those parents up to date with progress towards re-opening the closed classes and the school will give as much advice as how to make the best use of the time at home.

 

 

Update from Public Health on the 13th March 2020
We are now in the delay phase of our response to COVID-19. This entails significant changes to how we in Public Health England and the NHS identify and manage potential cases of COVID-19. Advice for has now changed and is now as follows:
 1. From today the public are being advised to stay at home (self-isolate) without any testing for COVID-19, regardless of travel history or contact with confirmed cases, if they have:
                                    a. A new continuous cough
                                   b. High temperature (of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher)
OR
 2. The geographic element of the case definition has now been removed. Travel and contact history are no longer important for diagnosis, which is on the basis of symptoms alone. If people who have travelled do not have symptoms they do not need to stay at home, regardless of their travel history.
 What does this mean?
Individuals should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of symptoms following the current advice. If someone has serious symptoms they cannot manage at home they should use NHS 111 online (people should only call NHS111 if they cannot get online). This advice unless advised otherwise doesn’t include family members so there is no reason at this point not to allow these individuals into school either as teachers or pupils. See link below 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance.
 After 7 days of self-isolation, people who feel better and no longer have a high temperature can return to their normal routine. If they have not had any signs of improvement after 7 days and have not already sought medical advice, they should use NHS111 online (people should only call NHS111 if they cannot get online) before they leave their home or let visitors in.
 Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean someone must continue to stay at home for more than 7 days.
 What does this mean Testing?
Testing will not be offered routinely to individuals staying at home.  At the moment we have cough, colds and other respiratory infections circulating as we normally do at this time of the year a small minority of which may be COVID-19.  So for those majority of those who self-isolate under the new advice for 7 days won’t get a confirmed diagnosis of what the infection is. 

 

Government Coronavirus action plan
On the 3rd March 2020,  the Coronavirus action plan was launched.
This action plan sets out a four phased approach in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Contain, Delay, Mitigate, and Research.
The document includes:
  • what we know about the virus and the disease it causes
  • how the government has planned for an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus outbreak
  • the actions that have been taken so far in response to the current coronavirus outbreak
  • what the government is planning to do next, depending upon the course the current coronavirus outbreak takes
  • the role the public can play in supporting this response, now and in the future

 

Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a public information campaign that focuses on the importance of hand washing.
Washing hands for 20 seconds is central to prevent and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
 The catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes also help in delaying the peak of the infection.

 

Current advice remains in place: No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless
advised to do so by Public Health England.

 

The Department for Education launched a new helpline for parents, young people and staff who have questions or concerns:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

 

 

Questions and Answers for Parents.

 

Q. What is the school doing to ensure the health and safety of all our pupils and staff ?
The school follows Public Health England  advice.
Staff and pupils are encouraged to wash their hands in accordance with Public Health advice.
The premises are cleaned  on a daily basis.
All chewies are being sterilised on a daily basis.

 

Q. What happens if parents do not send their children to school?
The school attendance policy would apply.
However if you feel your child is vulnerable and/or at risk, please contact the school to advise the reason why you feel your child is
vulnerable and/or at risk and the final decision will rest with the school in consultation with the Local Authority as to whether
the absence is regarded as authorised or unauthorised.

 

Q. How can I help protect my child?
Follow the Public Health advice. The NHS has an excellent website page: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/common-questions/.

 

Hand hygiene remains the most effective measure.
That means washing your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds and whenever you:
  • get home or into work
  • blow your nose, sneeze or cough
  • eat or handle food
It’s important to use soap and water or a hand sanitiser.

 

Q. If I think my child or someone else in my home may have contracted coronavirus, what do I do?
Call NHS 111 or use the service’s simple new online service https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 that will advise you what to do. Let the school know if 111 says that you should take action.

 

Q. Are you thinking of closing the school?
The Department for Education is very clear that no school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless advised to do so by Public Health England.

 

Q. Will you tell us if a child or member of staff has confirmed Coronavirus at the school?
Yes.

 

Q. What happens if there is a confirmed case within the Partnership Trust?
The Partnership Trust will immediately contact Public Health and then share their advice with you.

 

Q. Where is the best place to get information or advice about Coronavirus?
The government has several very good regularly updated sites:

 

Q. Where do I find the latest information?
Updates on COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Guidance for educational settings: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Latest Department for Education information: https://twitter.com/educationgovuk