Parents are asked to make sure they are being cautious and sensible when organising any ‘gatherings’ such as birthday parties or sleepovers, and are sticking to the latest guidance, including the rule of six indoors.

If anyone within your household has symptoms, you must follow the national guidance and get a PCR test – a lateral flow test should not be used if symptoms have appeared. You can book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. Everyone within the household must remain at home until the test result has been received. If the result is positive you must continue to self-isolate for ten days after the symptoms began.

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

You are also encouraged to test regularly with rapid lateral flow tests. Lateral flow tests are for people aged 11 and over who do not have symptoms Covid-19 and are not self-isolating. You can find out more and order test kits from www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

Face masks should continue to be worn when in the school grounds. If you are exempt from wearing one for medical reasons, please ensure that your lanyard is clearly displayed.