UPDATE: Unavailability of testing delays return of two year groups to Alford school following Covid-19 concerns

The headteacher of a secondary school in Alford has given reassurance that everything is being done to protect students and staff after two year groups were asked to stay home following Covid-19 concerns.
Site manager, Mr Bishell, cleaning school computers following use.Site manager, Mr Bishell, cleaning school computers following use.
Site manager, Mr Bishell, cleaning school computers following use.

Years 7 and 10 at John Spendluffe Technology College who use the Hunts 7 bus were asked not to attend the Alford school on Wednesday - but unavailability of tests delayed their return until Monday.

Parents were told the reason for the partial closure was a 'serious Covid-19 concern affecting these year groups and bus service'.’

Students were finally given the all-clear to return on Monday. after intensive cleaning and social distancing measures were put in place.

Social distancing markers for English and Humanities block, plus a continuation of the ‘one way’ path to rear of site.Social distancing markers for English and Humanities block, plus a continuation of the ‘one way’ path to rear of site.
Social distancing markers for English and Humanities block, plus a continuation of the ‘one way’ path to rear of site.

A statement from the school on Friday said: "Following evaluation of government guidance, our risk assessment now allows school to re-open safely to all year groups and students as from Monday.

"All students are therefore expected to attend school from Monday onwards if they are fit and well.

"Any student that is displaying symptoms of Covid-19 (persistent cough, or high temperature, or loss of smell/taste or sickness and diarrhoea) must not be sent to school.

"If your child has a simple cold, they must also stay at home until it has completely cleared.

"If a child comes to school displaying any symptoms of being unwell, they will be sent home. This is essential to keep students, staff and the wider community safe..

"If your child is unwell, please call 01507 462443 outlining the symptoms they are displaying and keep your child at home for a further two days.

"We look forward to welcoming all students back to school."

In addition to intensive cleaning and social distancing measures, temperature screening on every student will now take place on arrival.

Headteacher Ms Joyce Shorrock said she was disappointed the students had to stay home after receiving assurance national testing availability would be there to support re-opening of schools and enable concerns to be addressed swiftly.

However, this had not been the case, Ms Shorrock said.

She explained: "The decision to close JSTC to Year 7 and 10 students today is not one that was taken lightly or without serious consideration for the implications for our students and families.

"Whilst making daily decisions regarding the health and well-being of students and staff is not straightforward we have a consistent process in place to deal with general illness and the presentation of mild coronavirus symptoms.

"However, the need to address specific circumstances differently when there are greater concerns in this case presented itself.

"The safety, health and well-being of all of our students, families and staff is at the heart of every decision we make during these times and with every procedure and decision we put in place or make.

"Unfortunately, the unavailability of testing for staff and students is not supporting the effective and efficient running of a school.

"Whilst we appreciate that greater use of a system produces strain schools were re-assured that national testing availability would be there to support re-opening of schools and enable concerns to be addressed swiftly. Sadly, we are not alone in such difficulties.

"All students have been operating in year group ‘bubbles’ since their return.

"They have not been using certain parts of site and move around the site by using a ‘one way system’ around school.

"These measures are in addition to the temperature screening and sanitising procedures that all students undertake at the start of the school day prior to entry to the site.

"Students have been asked to wear face masks throughout the day, wash hands regularly and socially distance wherever possible in line with government advice and we feel that we have taken as many practical steps possible to prevent such an instance from occurring.

"Our site management team sanitises areas throughout the school day and the site is rigorously cleaned each evening by our cleaning team.

"Steps have been taken today to isolate the areas used by Years 7 and 10 in order for a ‘deep clean’ to be undertaken prior to students returning to those facilities and this process is ongoing.

"This will ensure the site is clean and ready to welcome students back as soon as possible.

"We are also re-assured by the way that the bus companies that we work with sanitise and clean their buses to support good hygiene and student safety.

"Our two biggest bus providers – Hunts and Grayscroft – have shared their procedures with us and they represent good practice.

"With Covid-19 on the increase nationally, the potential for interruption to school attendance is more likely but the interruption to education can be avoided through our online platform (Class Charts) system."

Ms Shorrock reached out to families to help keep the school open.

"We encourage our families to work with us to help keep our school as safe as possible by screening their child’s health each morning before sending them to school," she said.

"This can be done by ensuring that students do not have a high temperature, a dry and persistent cough, loss of taste or smell or have experienced vomiting or diarrhoea

before sending them to school each day.

"Our best wishes go to the student and family affected. We hope they make a speedy recovery and that we can welcome them back to school in due course.

"By working together, we can keep our school safe!."

This announcement follows a return to school only weeks earlier following lockdown and the summer break. Last week 14 other schools across Lincolnshire were reported to have been forced to ask pupils to stay home due to Covid-19 concerns.

One of the latest schools in the Skegness area to suffer closure is Seathorne Primary Academy.

The school closed to Year 4’s on Friday for a period of five days due to staff shortages.

The shortage of staff is a result of members of staff having to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.

In a letter to parents which has been shared online, headteacher Mrs K Redford stressed there had been no COVID-19 cases and that pupils do not need to self-isolate.

However, if they become ill, parents should inform the school.

"We take the safety of our students very seriously and unfortunately this means we do not have enough staff to cover the class in school at this point," she said.

"We are working hard to resolve this situation.

‘We fully appreciate the anxiety this unplanned closure may cause for some pupils, and the difficulties it may cause for your families."

She continued suggested activities and tasks would be provided for pupils.

It is believed Seathorne Primary Academy will reopen to Year 4’s on Monday, September 25.