Coronavirus Information
2021-2022
Updated Guidance 25.4.22
From 1st April, all testing, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, has ended for the general public. Testing will only be available to those individuals who, despite vaccination, are still clinically vulnerable (and those people will have been identified and written to with specific instructions) and for high risk settings such as care homes or the NHS. It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.
There is new national guidance for people who have symptoms of respiratory infections including COVID-19 and/or a positive test result. This can be found here: Government Guidance
This includes advice for children and young people attending education and childcare settings. The key points are:
- Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or mild cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education or childcare setting.
- Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and where possible avoid contact with other people. They can go back to education or childcare setting when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough.
- If a child or young person has obtained a test and has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and where possible avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test. The risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower after 3 days if they feel well and do not have a high temperature.
- Adults who have obtained a test and have a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days.
- Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal
Helping Hands Financial Support (11.3.22)
The ‘Helping Hands’ scheme delivered through Kent County Council offers fuel vouchers towards the cost of heating bills and essential items related to keeping warm. The vouchers will support households facing financial hardship as a direct result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please click below for further information:
Updated Covid-19 Guidance 28.2.22
While you’re no longer required by law to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should still stay at home and avoid contact with other people. This helps reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others. This means if your child has any of the main symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19, your child should remain at home.
The government guidance states that: "If you insist on your child attending nursery, school, or college when they have symptoms, they can take the decision to refuse your child if, in their reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19."
Please click the link to see guidance for parents and carers: Information for Parents and Carers
The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, even if they're mild:
- Get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) to check if you have COVID-19 as soon as possible.
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you get your test result.
How long to stay at home
If you have COVID-19, you should stay at home while you're infectious to others. This can be for up to 10 days from when your symptoms start. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days. You can do a rapid lateral flow test from 5 days after your symptoms started (or the day you had the test if you do not have symptoms) and another the next day. If both tests are negative and you do not have a high temperature, you're less likely to pass COVID-19 to others and you can go back to your normal routine. If your test result is positive on day 5, you can carry on doing rapid lateral flow tests every day until you get 2 negative test results in a row.
Visit the gov.uk website for more information: Self Isolation and When to Stay at Home
Rent and Mortgage Support (19.1.22)
The Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) has been established to support households who are at risk of losing their home, either by way of rent or mortgage arrears as a result of Covid-19.
This fund is available to anyone and everyone and you do not have to be in receipt of benefits to be eligible.
The criteria stipulates that households who have been adversely financially affected as a result of the pandemic are prioritised.
The funding will enable Thanet District Council to:
- Boost the support for private rented sector tenants to financially recover from impact of the pandemic and prevent them losing their homes.
- Support landlords in recovering from the loss of rental payments received where the tenants have fallen into rent arrears.
- Support the containment of COVID-19 outbreaks by supporting households to remain in their existing homes and prevent households from becoming street homeless, or resulting in insecure and transient housing arrangements.
- Provide support to homeowners who may be at risk of having their homes repossessed as a result of COVID-19
Thanet District Council will provide financial support for tenants in privately rented accommodation to recover from the financial impact of the pandemic and prevent them losing their homes, and will help landlords to recover from the loss of rental payments received where the tenants have fallen into rent arrears. They will also provide financial support to homeowners who may be struggling to pay their mortgages as a result of COVID-19.
If you are renting a property and are having trouble paying your rent or if you are a homeowner and are struggling to pay your mortgage, please contact the Housing Options team on 01843 577377 or email LLO@thanet.gov.uk.
Updated Guidance (17.1.22)
As from 17th January 2022, it is now possible to end self-isolation if you have 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days with the first test taken on the fifth day. The first LFD test should not be taken before the fifth day of your isolation. LFD tests should be taken at least 24 hours apart.
For example, if you have a negative LFD test at 7am on the fifth day of isolation and a negative LFD test at 7am on the sixth day of isolation, you may end your isolation at 7am on Day 6.
The self-isolation period remains 10 full days for those without negative results from 2 LFD tests taken a day apart.
The government asks that LFD results continue to be reported here: Report a Lateral Flow Test Result
More information is available here: Stay At Home Guidance
Updated Guidance (7.1.22)
As from the 11th January 2022, if an individual has no Covid-19 symptoms and tests positive for Covid-19 on a Lateral Flow test, they do not have to obtain a PCR test and can begin isolation immediately. The government have urged those who do test positive using a Lateral Flow test to ensure that they register this result online on the government website as per usual when reporting Lateral Flow test results (click the link below).
Report a Lateral Flow Test Result
The isolation rules remain the same as per our letter sent via email on 5.1.22. Click the link below for more information regarding isolation.
2020-2021
Lateral Flow Testing
Rapid Lateral Flow testing is now available for households with school pupils for twice weekly testing at home. The kits can be accessed in a range of ways. Schools are not permitted to give out test kits for this purpose.
See the guidance below for how to access the testing kits:
The Thanet collection point is Manston.
Hearing Screening Programme
We have been asked to share this survey with you on behalf of Kent County Council who are reviewing the school entry hearing screening programme.
Children in Reception Year are offered a school entry hearing screen by the Kent School Health Service in school or clinic. This year (and also last year) the programme has been delivered differently as a result of Covid-19 and families have been given the opportunity to opt into the programme if they have concerns about their child’s hearing.
If your child is in Year 2 please complete our 10-minute survey by the 12th of March 2021, so that your views can be included in any future plans for the screening programme.
Dr Alex's Five A Day for Families (12.2.21)
Dr Alex George is the government's new Youth Mental Health Ambassador and he has produced a short video to share his five top tops for good mental health and wellbeing, ahead of the February half term holiday. You will find his video on the Department for Education's official YouTube channel.
Kent Educational Psychology Service Resources and Information (5.2.21)
The Kent Educational Psychology Service has put together some advice and guidance for families around supporting children and young people's wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic. There are sections dedicated to home routines, learning at home and wellbeing with useful links provided at the end of each section. Click below to view the document.
The Safe Haven @ Thanet (25.1.21)
Please see the flyer below for information regarding The Safe Haven @ Thanet. It offers out of hours support for those ages 16+ in the Thanet area.
Blue Peter on YouTube (13.1.21)
Blue Peter is the longest running children's TV show in the world and they are uploading regular videos on their new free to subscribe YouTube channel that are suitable for 5-11 year olds. They have world record breaking challenges, arts and crafts, environmental videos, cooking and baking how tos, inspirational films, gaming, celebrity appearances, dance routines and music performances. They also feature ways of getting a Blue Peter badge, behind the scenes footage and extra content about their presenters and Henry the Blue Peter dog. Visit YouTube and search Blue Peter to find their channel. Enjoy!
British Red Cross Resources (7.1.21)
The British Red cross have produced some useful resources to support your child's learning about kindness, building resilience, wellbeing and first aid. Click the link below to access the resources and a 'Kindness' learning pack.
The School Health Team Resources (6.1.21)
The School Health Team have prepared several short videos, each with 'Top Tips', to help families to support their children with 'resilience'. Please click the link below to access the video resources.
BBC Mental Health and Wellbeing Tips (6.1.21)
Please click the link below to see Dr Radha's 'Five C' tips to support adults in staying mentally and emotionally well during the lockdown.
A Message from Mrs Marshall (Headteacher) (06.01.21)
Hello to everyone, it's Mrs Marshall here.
As you know, we are all working in a different way now and I just wanted to wish you all well as we go forward together.
We will, of course, miss all of the families that are learning, working or are furloughed at home, but we know that you will be keeping in touch with your child's class teacher. The school office is open if you need us.
Keep safe and keep smiling!
Current Procedures
Below are the procedures and guidance for parents/carers from Callis Grange and the DfE/NHS. These will be reviewed and updated periodically.
DfE/NHS Procedures and Guidance
Callis Grange Procedures
We aim to provide the best education that we can for all our children, working within the 'new normal'. We have worked hard to provide procedures that are clear for all to follow. The safety of our children, staff and families has been paramount in preparing and reviewing these procedures using the Government and Local Authority guidance whilst considering the young age of our children and our school environment.
Should I send my child to school?
Deciding on whether or not to send your child to school, if they appear slightly unwell, can be a difficult decision during the current pandemic. Please see the NHS document below to help you make your decision.
Breakfast Club 4.9.2020
Please find information regarding Breakfast Club below.