In accordance with the new government guidance announced tonight, anyone displaying symptoms of the coronavirus should ensure a 'whole household 14 day isolation'. 

Symptoms as described by the NHS are...

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly

Thank you for your support with this, please act responsibly to ensure we all stay safe. 

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Equals Trust                                          

Frequently Asked Questions – Covid 19

Updated:  16 March, 9.40 pm; Previously Updated:  16 March 2020 2.00 pm

If a member of our family (living in the house your child lives in for all or part of the week) has symptoms, am I able to send my child to school?

What we have seen so far is that children with COVID-19 appear to be less severely affected.  However, if one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.   Coughing may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean you must continue to self-isolate for more than 14 days.

My child has a cold.  Are they allowed to come to school?

The symptoms of Covid 19 are:

• A new continuous cough and/or
• A high temperature

You child is safe to come to school if they only have a cold and no one in your household is displaying symptoms of Covid 19.

My child has a chronic condition.  Should I send them to school?

Current advice states that children seem to be less susceptible to contracting Covid 19, but please read the following advice on vulnerable groups and seek advice from NHS 111 online:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

NHS 111 online:  https://111.nhs.uk/

What happens if my child becomes unwell with symptoms at school?

If young people or children become unwell on site with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature we will instruct you to collect them from school.  If the child has a sibling in school, they will also need to be sent home so the family can self-isolate for 14 days. 

My child’s older sibling (who attends secondary school) has developed symptoms and has been sent home.  How is my younger child affected?

All family members must go home and remain at home for 14 days if any family member living in the same household has symptoms.  Please inform us immediately if any family member shows symptoms so we can arrange for you to collect your child.

Will the school be closed?

In most cases, closure of the educational setting will not be needed but this will be a local decision based on various factors such as establishment size and risk of further spread.

If there is an urgent public health action to take, the educational setting will be contacted by the local Public Health England Health Protection Team who will undertake a risk assessment and advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken. PHE will rarely advise a school to close but this may be necessary if there are so many staff being isolated that the school has operational issues. PHE will work with the headteacher, Equals Trust and the Local Authority Public Health team, to advise on the management of children, pupils, students or staff.

Please inform school of any recent changes to your contact details and named people who are allowed to collect your child in the event of you being unwell.  If you have any questions regarding social distancing, please read the government advice:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Equals Trust commits to reviewing this information, on a daily basis, after government updates.