Hertford Junior School

I would like to welcome you and your child very warmly to Hertford Junior School. I am very proud to lead our school. Every child is somebody’s special child and I, along with all of the staff, will always put people first. We have the families at the heart of all that we do;  click to continue reading . You can also watch our film about our school.

Latest Newsletter click here

To the Hertford School Community,  

25^th February 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

Although Covid case rates have been falling in recent weeks, including in children, locally the rate remains higher than the South East and England rates so it is particularly important to follow good public health advice.  

Government announcements

Please find attached the latest communication from the DfE.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts
I attended the Head Teachers' meeting with the Local Authority yesterday and will wait for the update risk assessment from the LA; they have informed us that they are still finalising updates based on the new guidance, and the operational impact of this to schools. In addition, they have not yet met with unions around the updates, so again, we will wait. 

We will be making some changes as from Monday 28^th February 2022 in our schools as follows:-

From Monday 28^th February:

• Following the ‘Living with COVID-19’ announcement on Monday 21 February, staff, students and pupils in all mainstream education setting are no longer advised to undertake twice-weekly asymptomatic testing. 
• Until the end of March, if you are symptomatic then you must still carry out a PCR test please.
• Advice on self-isolation:
• You will not be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. You should stay at home if you can and avoid contact with other people. It is good public health practice to stay at home if you are unwell with covid or any other respiratory illness.
• You will not have to take daily tests or be legally required to self-isolate following contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
  However, the guidance does go on to say that if you are 'infectious', which is days 1-5 then you should not be coming in. Therefore, until the end of March, we will be asking staff to isolate for the 5 days.
• As parents and Carers, I am asking that you support us in keeping your child at home if they test positive for 5 days as, 'hidden' in the new guidance, it does state that this period of time is infectious.  This can only be recommended, I am fully aware of this; however, we really do not want to see a rapid spread as it feels that we have come so far. We really want to keep the school bubble-free and remote learning-free as much as we can! 
• Masks do not need to be worn, however, this is A CHOICE and, as always, I ask that you respect choices of staff.
• Test and Trace is no longer a requirement
• We will still be encouraging the use of hand sanitiser and handwashing
• We are still planning activities and events with a Covid thought; with a view that after Easter we can have more parental workshops/events etc.
  Until Thursday 31^st March
• If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, you should avoid contact with others and order a PCR test. If you test positive, stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

Updates on vaccinations for 5-11 years: 

The LA have informed head teachers that if a vaccination is encouraged and/or required for a child aged 5-11 that the centre for this will be Churchill Square, or equivalent, and there is not an expectation of this being done in primary schools. 

Ofsted:

Schools are still entitled to defer an inspection if there is a high number of staff absent due to Covid.

Thank you all for your continued support. 

Take care all. 

Zoe.