Dear Parents/Carers,

Information regarding the National lockdown restrictions from 5th November can be found on the Government website here.

We are clear that the Government have said that schools will remain open:

'The Government will continue to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our young people and will not be closing schools, colleges or universities. It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians. Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and so they should continue to go to school. Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe.'

The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2nd December. At the end of the period, the Government have said that they will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.

Please continue to be vigilant, and only send your child in to school if they are well.

The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

You MUST NOT send your child in to school if they have any of the symptoms above. You should keep your child at home and arrange to have a test. The test needs to be done in the first 8 days of having symptoms. If your child has symptoms they must self-isolate for ten days from when the symptoms started. A test can be booked here or call 119 between 7am and 11pm.

Please also keep your child at home if they are unwell with sickness, diarrhoea or a bad cold. In this instance, they should remain at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea. If you have any concerns or queries about whether you should send your child in to school, please do call us on 0116 2415921.

Many thanks for your support in helping is to keep our school community safe. If we receive any more specific advice relating to the National Lockdown and how it affects us at Oaklands, we will of course update you. However, we currently expect the school to remain open and look forward to seeing children again tomorrow.

Regards

Sarah

Sarah Osborne

(Headteacher)