Covid Measures
Dear Parent/ Carer,
We have been advised by Oldham Council’s Public Health Team (PHE) that there has been a number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 within some year groups within the College.
As part of PHE’s measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19, we have been advised to introduce certain measures from Monday 4 October, which are listed below:
1. What to do if you have members of your household who have COVID-19 As a result of an ongoing outbreak within Newman College, Oldham Public Health are asking that pupils and staff do not attend school unless they have a negative PCR test result, if they have members of their household with COVID-19. They do not need to isolate whilst waiting for the PCR test result, just not attend school.
2. Separation of year groups during social time
Break and lunch times will continue to be split, but we will undertake the further step of separate dining areas for year groups. This will mean a reduced service on occasion and we ask for your support and understanding whilst this is in place.
3. Face Coverings
Pupils are encouraged to wear face coverings again in communal areas. It is highly likely that this will become obligatory towards the end of next week following the next review with PHE. We will keep you fully informed.
We hold the health and safety of our staff and pupils of paramount importance, and are therefore co-operating fully with Public Health England, to do whatever we can to limit the spread of Covid-19 and to minimise any disruption to teaching and learning. We thank you for your co-operation.
Further detail and advice from PHE is below; please do take the time to consider this information.
Yours sincerely
Mr G R Potts DL
‘Warn and Inform’
In line with the national guidance, children aged under 18 years are no longer required to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Your child and other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms.
People who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19 are advised to get a PCR test, whether or not they have symptoms. If this test is positive, they must isolate for 10 days. PCR tests can be booked via
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or by calling 119.
Children who are aged under 5 years old who are identified as close contacts will only be advised to take a PCR test if the positive case is in their own household.
Please note people should not need to be re-tested via an LFD test or PCR test within 90 days of a previous confirmed positive test, unless new symptoms develop, in which case they should book a PCR.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
· new continuous cough and/or;
· high temperature and/or;
· a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).
However, people frequently present with a wider range of symptoms. If you or your child feel newly unwell, then please access a PCR test. For many people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must isolate and you should arrange a test for your child via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or by calling 119.
If the test result is positive, your child will be required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days from the day that their symptoms started. Please inform us if your child has a positive test result.
If your child’s test result is negative, they can continue with their normal activities if they are well enough to do so.