Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Sustrans have developed a survey for parents and guardians, looking at how children and their families travel to and from school (pre Covid-19). The survey is only 10 questions long and should take approximately 4 minutes to fill out. This survey is really important for us determining how school runs can be made safer, easier and more sustainable.
The survey closes on Sunday 12 July:
https://sustrans.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/essex-schools-parent-survey
Everyone that completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a bike worth up to £400 including accessories (helmet and lock)!
Problems with Edenred – National Free School Meals Voucher Scheme
9th April 2020
Dear Parent / Carer,
We have been made aware of several issues with the national Free School Meals voucher scheme. This scheme has been established by central Government for schools to use, to issue vouchers to families eligible for benefits-based Free School Meals.
The issues are causing a delay in the vouchers making their way to families, despite schools’ best efforts to access the vouchers. I understand that this is frustrating for families but I ask that you please bear with the schools, who are continuing to order vouchers and work with the central supplier on your behalf, where vouchers have not been received.
We believe vouchers are now beginning to come through and so you should receive these within the next few days. If you have not yet received vouchers, which you know the school have ordered for you, you do not need to take any action. The school can see on their system which vouchers have not yet been issued and are chasing these on your behalf.
However, if you remain concerned at all please contact your school directly.
I thank you for your patience and co-operation at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Clare Kershaw
Director of Education
Essex County Council
https://www.gov.uk/.../.../coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
The advice for anyone in any setting is to follow these main guidelines.
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature. If you have these symptoms, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
At the current time and based on our understanding of what is known of COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses, it is likely that older people and those with chronic medical conditions may be vulnerable to severe disease. As more information emerges, recommendations may change.
If you are in self isolation.
Stay at home
You should remain in your home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. You can go for a walk.
You will need to ask friends or relatives if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home.