CV&CC Update, 29th September 2020
CV&CC Update
Tuesday 29th September
Situation Update
Student attendance is currently just over 90%, which is above the current national figures. We have been fortunate that staff absence remains very low, and mostly unrelated to covid-related. There have been a handful of suspected cases among student and staff families, but no positive tests. We are therefore continuing to provide a broad curriculum within a clear daily routine, and are beginning to explore how we can safely and cautiously build on this provision. Nationally, one in six schools is closed, part-closed or with students self-isolating because of covid.
Letter to Parents from the Department for Education
I have been asked by the DfE to bring the following letter from the NHS to parents’ attention. It concerns test-and-trace.
NHS Covid-19 App
From Devon County Council: Download the new NHS Covid-19 App
- The new NHS COVID-19 app is now available to download.It’s free and it has some clever features that will help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- It’s to support the NHS Test and Trace service, so its major benefit to the public is in helping to trace people quickly when they’ve been in close contact for a period of time with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. That way, they can be advised even sooner to self-isolate and take any other appropriate steps.
- In Devon, our overall number of positive coronavirus cases is, although rising, still relatively low compared to other parts of the country. But the NHS Test and Trace service is still just as vital here in helping to trace people as quickly as possible and to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The sooner you know, the sooner you can act and reduce the risk of infection to others.
- So we want to encourage you to download the free app today.
- It works by recording the location of places that you visit – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, leisure or tourist attractions, ‘close contact’ establishments such as hair dressers, places of worship, and others public places including libraries and village halls – onto your phone.
- You’ll get an alert if you’ve visited a place where you’ve had prolonged contact recently with someone who has tested positive with coronavirus, and there’ll be advice about what to do next.
- It also provides risk alerts by postcode, a symptom checker and test booking features.
- Venues are now legally required to collect contact details from customers and visitors, so if you don’t have a smartphone, they will also have their own log book or other paper method.
- If you have any questions about the app, NHS Covid-19 app support may have the answers online.
Stagecoach
Much better news ! There are now plenty of buses arriving after school to take students into Exeter, AND a bus to Bradninch and Cullompton now collects from the Coach Park at 3.20.
Dropping Things Off.
It is hugely appreciated if students arrive fully equipped for the day, including their packed lunch and/or their food ingredients, for example. Unlike pre-lockdown days, these forgotten items are much more inconvenient: it brings extra visits to the College, means that items have to be handled and wiped, and now that we no longer have a student receptionist it is more complicated to organise delivery within the College day. That’s not to say parents should not bring these things in, but it is more awkward, and helping students be organised is much appreciated !
KB
29.09.20