Numerous Sleaford schools’ overseas trips set to be axed in light of latest Government coronavirus travel advice

A raft of overseas trips planned by Sleaford area schools are likely to be cancelled in light of the latest Government advice.
Carres Grammar School sign.Carres Grammar School sign.
Carres Grammar School sign.

The Government advised against all overseas trips for children under 18 until further notice yesterday (Thursday) as a safeguarding measure in light of the ongoing battle to contain the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

It particularly seeks to address issues faced by schools should adult supervisors or children begin to exhibit symptoms that require self-isolation, or where measures taken by foreign countries to control coronavirus change rapidly, such as happened in Italy, resulting in a ski trip by William Robertson Academy students and staff having to return home and self-isolate as soon as they arrived last weekend.

The advice does not apply to trips planned within the UK but schools and colleges should refresh their risk assessments and contingency measures with parents.

Nick law, executive headteacher of the Robert Carre Trust, which runs Carre’s Grammar School and Kesteven and Sleaford High School, said they will be seeking assurances on Monday from travel insurance firms about repayment of fees in light of this latest advice, but admitted it was likely that several planned trips will be cancelled in the coming weeks.

Trips likely to be affected include an excursion to the First World War battlefields, a visit to CERN at Geneva in Austria, a trip to Côte d’Opale in northern France and a rugby tour of South Africa.

Other trips to conferences and events within the UK have also been affected by organisers cancelling the events.

Mr Law said: “We are risk assessing every individual trip and across the county other schools will all be soing the same.”

Principal of St George’s Academy, Laranya caslin also confirmed today they too had cancelled their upcoming Easter Sports Tour to Barcelona today.

Earlier in the week Mr Law had written to parents to quash rumours that Carre’s had a case of coronavirus. He said: “I am aware that this has appeared on a Facebook page and also in other schools. Jo Smith (Head of School at the High School) and I have written regularly to our parents with assurances and updates.

In an update today (Friday) he added: “It remains the case that we have no reported cases of coronavirus at school.

“Should your son/daughter exhibit the symptoms of coronavirus I ask that you follow the recent government advice and keep them at home for seven days. The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature. Public Health England has stated that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection. Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

“The school will only close in the event that we are formally instructed to do so by the authorities. To this end we have put provision in place to make it possible for students to continue their studies at home should it be necessary. Students have been reminded about how to access files from home (on any internet enabled device.) We are planning for any eventuality on Department for Education advice but very much hope that such plans won’t need to be enacted. Please keep your eye on the front page of our website where we will post guides for parents and students in the event of any developments.

“As part of our contingency planning we have considered the situation where the number of staff reporting as unavailable to work becomes so high that the safe operation of the school is not feasible. Should this occur we may face a partial closure and when this becomes apparent you will be informed.”

With exams coming up for years 11, 12 and 13, there are contingencies in place for revision material to be accessed online from home and students would have access to teachers during the working day in the event of a closure.

He said: “This is not like a ‘snow day’. We have looked at video conferencing via skype and have a room already set up which we already use for meetings, which we can extend.

“With regard to trips and visits, we shall follow the government advice which is that domestic trips can go ahead as planned.”

Mr Law went on: “We remain in regular conversation with students about good levels of hygiene. Posters are clearly displayed in form rooms and in cloakroom areas and the cleaning team has an additional systematic schedule in place. “Please encourage your child to follow the guidelines we have issued, and bring tissues to school with them.”

Mr Law said other events had also been affected by the coronoavirus, with the annual Old Carrensians dinner, which would see over 100 guests attend, cancelled.

Mr Law said he understood the decision not to close schools in light of the economic impact it would likely have if hundreds of parents had to take time off work to supervise their children. He also saw it as a symbolic gesture as schools are at the heart of communities.

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