Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• COVID-19 testing for families

  Wed 03 Mar 2021 R Restall
  Dear Families, 

   

  This week, all parents are being advised to obtain Lateral Flow Test kits for asymptomatic testing, as these are now available to all families of school-aged children.  This is a government policy and aims to ensure that schools are safe places for all.

   

  Summary of the guidance

   

  From 1st March 2021, if you’re a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil who work/attend a primary or secondary school you can get a twice-weekly rapid lateral flow test if you are symptom free via the following:

   

  • through your employer if they offer testing to employees

   

  • by booking a test at a local rapid test site (in North Tyneside the test site is at The Riverside Centre, North Shields)

   

  • by collecting a home test kit from a specified collection point (in North Tyneside the collection points are test sites at The Parks, North Shields and Coronation St Car Park, Wallsend opening times 1pm-7pm)

   

  • by ordering a home test kit online

   

  Collecting a home test kit from a collection point

   

  This service is known as the Community Collect Service and it enables individuals:

   

  • To undertake twice-weekly testing based on a model of collecting kits and testing at home.
  • Access two packs of 7 rapid lateral flow self-test kits can be collected per individual up to a maximum of 4 packs where justifiable for example for very large or extended families.
  • Collect the kits from test sites in North Tyneside located at The Parks Leisure Centre, Terrace Room, Howdon Road, North Shields or Coronation Street Care Park, Wallsend between the hours of 1pm and 7pm (other collection test sites are available and can be found here: COVID Test Finder (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
  • Each individual must register the test and record the results at home, using the NHS website or through the 119 call centre for positive, negative and void results.
  • Any individual who undertakes a test at home and reports a positive lateral flow self-test will be directed to undertake a further test to confirm the result by ordering a PCR test online or by booking to attend for a PCR test at a local test site such as The Parks Leisure Centre, Terrace Room, Howdon Road, North Shields or Coronation Street Care Park, Wallsend who offer these tests each morning (but NOT the site at The Riverside Centre as this site only provide rapid testing using lateral flow devices)
  • For those individuals who are not able to collect the home test kits can order the kits online for home delivery. Individuals are encouraged not to order online if they can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need it most.

   

  We hope that this is helpful.

   

  Kind regards, 

  The St Bart's Team 

• 8th March - return for all pupils

  Mon 01 Mar 2021

  All children are expected to return to school from Monday 8^th March 2021.  Full attendance is required unless a child has a particular reason, such as shielding or isolating.

   

  Whilst Government guidance remains in place for COVID-19 and its variants, our bubble structure will continue, as part of our risk assessed control measures, limited mixing and maintaining appropriate physical distancing.

   

  Families and visitors to the site will be expected to wear face coverings.  Staff will wear a face covering when meeting families at drop-off and pick-up times.  The one-way system will be reintroduced.

   

  Enhanced cleaning, including handwashing etc, will also continue.

   

  Staggered start, break, lunch and finish times will also remain, to minimise physical contact:

   

  Class	Start time	Break (15mins)	Lunch (eating)	Finish
  Nursery	8:45am			11:45am
  Reception	8:55am		11:45am	3:25pm
  Year 1	8:45am	10:15am	12:00pm	3:15pm
  Year 2	8:55am	10:30am	12:30pm	3:25pm
  Year 3	8:55am	10:30am	12:30pm	3:25pm
  Year 4	8:45am	10:15am	12:00pm	3:30pm
  Year 5	8:45am	10:00am	12:30pm	3:30pm
  Year 6	8:55am	10:45am	12:15pm	3:25pm

   

  Breakfast Club will continue.  Please book in advance here.

   

  If anyone is unwell, displaying symptoms of COVID-19, they should self-isolate and be tested without delay.  If the test is returned positive, the self-isolation should be for at least 10 days.  Please let the school office know.  School will continue to liaise with NHS Test and Trace, following their advice and guidance.  In the event of a positive test, others within the appropriate "bubble" may be asked to self-isolate.  A class bubble could be sent home at very short notice.

   

  If any of our children become unwell with COVID-19 symptoms within school, we will contact families immediately and expect that they will come to collect their child straight away.  Whilst waiting, the child will be isolated away from other children - but always reassuringly supervised by a familiar member of our staff.  It is, therefore, vital that we have your most up-to-date contact information and that you are available to be contacted throughout the day.  We are sure that you will understand.