1St March 2021

Orsett Heath Academy

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Miss S Rawson EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER: Mr S Bell 1st March 2021

Dear Parent / Carer,

Re: COVID Testing Arrangements

Further to my letter last week, I am writing to update you about the return to school and testing arrangements. As outlined in the new guidance published by the Department for Education last week, rapid testing using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) will support the return to face-to-face education by helping to identify people who are infectious but do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Key Summary Points  All secondary school students will be offered testing at an on-site Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) from Monday 8 March.  Testing and return of pupils can be phased during the first week to manage the number of pupils passing through the test site at any one time.  Schools will offer three tests, two to five days apart.  Pupils should return to face-to-face education following their first negative test result.  The test is voluntary and pupils not undergoing testing should attend school in line with the phased return arrangements.  After an initial programme of three tests in school, pupils will be provided with two rapid (30 minute) tests to use each week at home. Results will be shared with NHS Test and Trace and the school.  The full guidance can be found at— HERE

Our Approach at Orsett Heath  All students will be offered an initial LFD test on Monday 8 March, onsite at Orsett Heath. Students will be sent directly home after this first test.  Remote learning will be available in line with our normal timetables on Monday 8 March. However, due to the testing arrangements in place, this will be flexible and we will not follow up on non-completion of work.  All students will return to face-to-face teaching on Tuesday 9 March, providing they receive a negative test on their first LFD test.  Students will then receive a further two LFD tests onsite at Orsett Heath on Friday 12 March and Monday 15 March. This will be during lesson time, and students will return directly to class following their test.  Students who have not consented to undergoing testing will attend school in line with our phased return arrangements on Tuesday 9 March.  Once pupils have been tested three times at school, they will be provided with home test kits for regular testing.  At Orsett Heath, the in-school testing will be staffed by the Senior Leadership Team of the school, as well as handful of parental volunteers and office staff who have undergone the necessary training.  We have not used any of the schools teaching staff as that would take them away from the crucial job of planning and delivering lessons and helping our pupils adjust back into school.

Academy address: Oakfield, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2QH Tel: 01375 802800 www.orsetthealthacademy.org.uk Orsett Heath Academy is operated by the South West Essex Community Education Trust, which is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales. Company number 07693309. The Registered Office is at William Edwards School, Stifford Clays Road, Grays, Essex, RM16 3NJ.Tel: 01375486000 www.williamedwards.org.uk

Orsett Heath Academy

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Miss S Rawson EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER: Mr S Bell Key Dates

First test date Monday 8th March Second test date Friday 12th March Third test date Monday 15th March

Full return to school for the whole year group Tuesday 9th March Last day the year group will be taught remotely Monday 8th March

Appointment Times An additional letter will be sent to each pupil / parent, which gives the appointment time for their first test. Subsequent appointment times for student’s second and third tests will be shared with them in school on the days as outlined above.

Home Testing We will write to you near the end of the testing cycle with further details about the home testing arrangements and collection of these kits.

Support for Students Over the course of this week, in preparation for students return, we will be sharing daily resources with them to support their return. This will include a presentation to talk students through what to expect at the test site within school. We have also placed this presentation on the COVID-19 Information area of our website for you to view and to show your child if you wish. Within the presentation is an instructional NHS film about taking a swab sample. It can also be found by clicking HERE.

COVID Symptoms and if your child has had COVID in the last 3 months. The testing in school and the subsequent home testing kits test for asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 only. If your child displays any of the COVID symptoms, they must self-isolate immediately and have a full PCR test, which can be booked via the Government website. Please DO NOT use lateral flow tests if your child is showing symptoms. If your child has had a confirmed case of COVID in the last 3 months then they should not have a test. If this is the case, please inform the school office.

Results of LFD Tests As you will see from the presentation on the website, we will contact you immediately should any of the tests come back as positive. However, we will also be uploading the results to the NHS Test and Trace system; therefore, you should receive confirmation via text and/or email of your child’s results via the details you provided us with last week as soon as we have uploaded them. I would remind any parent who has not sent us these contact details to do so as soon as possible. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues.

Positive Result If a student’s test result comes back as positive, you will be required to collect students from school. Students should then be booked to complete a PCR test at a local testing centre, and they should begin to self-isolate immediately.

Orsett Heath Academy

HEAD OF SCHOOL: Miss S Rawson EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER: Mr S Bell

Keyworker and Vulnerable Provision Students attending this provision will be tested on their arrival to school on Monday 8 March. They can then remain in school for the day. If they receive a positive result, the same procedures as above will apply, and you will be required to collect your child from school.

Consent Students who have not consented to undergoing testing will attend school in line with our phased return arrangements on Tuesday 9 March. We would, however, strongly suggest students, who are not participating in the in school testing, complete a PCR test at a local testing centre prior to their return if at all possible.

The next letters you will receive from us will outline: 1) Your child’s first test appointment time 2) Further details about the wider return to school

I would, finally, like to publically thank our volunteers for the assistance, and all of our wider community who offered their volunteering services to support us through this phase; and to all parents, I would like to thank you for your support and patience with us.

We are working very hard to ensure the safe return of our pupils and are aware many are anxious, worried or concerned about what school life will look like over the coming weeks. Please be assured, we are aiming to make this as normal as possible for the pupils, and will continue to ensure we are educating your children to the very best of our ability.

Yours sincerely

Sian Rawson Head of School