As of today (29 December) the government has said that primary schools will reopen as planned on 4 January. However, now that the school is in a Tier 4 area this means that clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) children and adults should shield and not attend school. If you are unsure whether your child is CEV then consult your GP.

Further details can be found on the government website:

shielding advice

Obviously, things can change rapidly and we will update you should there be any changes to the planned return on the 4 January.

Christmas holiday arrangements for managing contact tracing after a positive test result for Covid-19

Schools have been asked by the government to oversee the contact tracing process, for anyone in their school that tests positive for Covid-19 during the holiday period, for 6 days from the last day of term. Please read the following information carefully.

The school office will not be taking phone calls after 16:00 today (17 December) until Monday 4^th January 2021. In the event of a positive test outcome, you should email the school on the following email address:

info@castle.hants.sch.uk

THIS IS TO INFORM US OF A POSITIVE TEST OUTCOME ONLY, and is NOT for general enquiries or to provide any other information. The email inbox will be checked each morning, until 23 December.

We only inform close contacts if they were in contact with the person testing positive within 48 hours before the symptoms first developed. That is because the government say that it is highly unlikely for someone to pass the virus on any earlier than 48 hours prior to when they first became symptomatic (started coughing; high temperature; loss or change in sense of smell and/or taste).

Please use the table below to work out what you need to do:

FAQs:

What do I do if my child exhibits coronavirus symptoms after 4pm on 17^th December but before Sunday 20^th December?

If your child shows any of the main coronavirus symptoms, please arrange for them to have a coronavirus test as soon as possible.

Book a test by clicking here or calling 119. The school will only need to know if the result is positive and the child was in school in the 2 days preceding symptoms starting.

Do not call the school as the telephones will not be answered and the answerphone will not be checked until 4^th January.

What do I do if my child tests positive for coronavirus after 4pm on 17^th December?

If your child tests positive for coronavirus on or before 23^rd December and your child was in school in the 2 days preceding symptoms starting, you MUST inform the school at the earliest opportunity by emailing info@castle.hants.sch.uk. The information we require is as follows

Child’s name:

Child’s class:

Date of test:

Date they became symptomatic:

Date they were last in school:

Do not call the school as the telephones will not be answered and the answerphone will not be checked until 4^th January.

What do I do if my child tests positive for coronavirus after 23rd December?

If your child tests positive for coronavirus after 23^rd December, please follow all the government guidance and inform school on Monday 4^th January if they are unable to attend.

Why do you need to know if my child develops symptoms or tests positive once school is closed?

Public Health England has agreed a 6 day window after the final day of teaching in which schools and further education providers are asked to remain contactable so they can assist with contact tracing where necessary. This will allow enough time for positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases to be identified and confirmed by a test and for relevant contacts in the education setting to be traced.

For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, schools have been asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.

Where can I find further information about Covid-19?

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please follow the link in Parents / Useful Links for the video of the Infant Nativity or click below:

nativity 2020

Please follow the link below to access carol singing (the video is taking a long time to upload, but should be available the evening of 17/12/20) :

Castle Carols