Covid Response & Information

This page contains information for our students/parents/carers about how the school is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be updated regularly as Government and Local Authority guidance is released.

Updated March 3rd – Lateral Flow Covid19 Testing

As explained by Mr Gray in previous communication, students will be tested three times as part of the full reopening of school. The process uses lateral flow tests that provide a result 30 minutes after the test is taken.

We are using the Sandpit theatre as our testing centre and our team of trained staff have completed over 500 tests for the staff and students who have been working on site since January.

Further information about the testing process can be accessed here.

Families are reminded that the tests are designed to test asymptomatic students. The expectation remains the same that students who display any symptoms (a new continuous cough, high temperature or a loss of, or change in,normal sense of taste or smell) must not come into school.

They should not be taken by any student who has tested positive on a PCR test within the 90 days prior to the scheduled test.

Students who have received their first vaccination should still take the test.

The testing schedule

We will be testing two year groups a day from Friday 5th March. Students will return to school for face to face teaching the day after this first test.Friday 5 March

Year 11	8:30am	8:45am	9:00am	9:15am	9:30am	9:45am	10:00am
Year 11	11A	11E	11F	11J	11N	11S	11T

Year 13	11:15am	11:30am	11:45am	12:00pm	12:15pm	12:30pm	12:45pm	1:00pm
Year 13	13A	13E	13F	13H	13J	13N	13S	13T

Monday 8 March

Year 10	8:30am	8:45am	9:00am	9:15am	9:30am	9:45am	10:00am	10:15am
Year 10	10A	10E	10F	10H	10J	10N	10S	10T

Year 12

11:15

11:30

11:45

12:00

12:15

12:30

12:45

1:00

1:15

12A

12E

12F

12H

12HP

12J

12N

12S

12T

Tuesday 9 March

Year 8	8:30am	8:45am	9:00am	9:15am	9:30am	9:45am	10:00am	10:15am
Year 8	8A	8E	8F	8H	8J	8N	8S	8T

Year 9	11:15am	11:30am	11:45am	12:00pm	12:15pm	12:30pm	12:45pm	1:00pm
Year 9	9A	9E	9F	9H	9J	9N	9S	9T

Wednesday 10 March

Year 7	8:30am	8:45am	9:00am	9:15am	9:30am	9:45am	10:00am	10:15am
Year 7	7A	7E	7F	7H	7J	7N	7S	7T

Guidance for the first test

Given the number of students who will be tested each day, we would ask that families follow the following instructions.

Students should aim to arrive at school at the exact time allocated to their tutor group. Early or late arrival will impact on or ability to process the tests efficiently.
Where possible, students should walk to the site and access through the pedestrian gate closest to the Sandpit theatre.
No on site parking will be available.
Students in years 7-11 should wear school uniform; sixth form students should be dressed smartly but do not need to wear suits/jackets. Students should wear a mask in line with the government recommendation unless they are exempt or families have notified the school accordingly.
We would recommend that students do not eat within a minimum of half an hour before their test.
The testing process will take approximately 15 minutes for each tutor group with most students needing to be on site for no more than 10 minutes. Students must the site immediately after testing and go straight home.
Live lessons will be suspended for each year group for the periods that each year group is being tested but there may be some work set on google classroom for completion. Results are received within 30 minutes on site. Should there be any positive results, we will notify families immediately.
It is not mandatory for students to take the test before returning to school but we are encouraging all to do so. We understand that the specific testing schedule may present logistical challenges to families but we would ask you to do all you can to ensure your child arrives at the allocated time. We are unable to offer additional test slots at this time.
Tests are not mandatory. Only students for whom parental consent has been given will be tested.
If a student is unable to test before their return to school, we will still test them as part of the onsite testing providing consent has been given.
Should you have any immediate queries please contact covidtestingsite@sandringham.herts.sch.uk.

Follow up tests on site

The second and third tests will take during the normal school day; the provisional schedule is outlined below:

	8:30am – 10:45am	11:15am – 1:15pm
Wednesday 10 March		Year 13 (2nd test)
Thursday 11 March	Year 11 (2nd test)	Year 12 (2nd test)
Friday 12 March	Year 9 (2nd test)	Year 10 (2nd test)
Monday 15 March	Year 7 (2nd test)	Year 8 (2nd test)
Tuesday 16 March	Year 13 (3rd test)	Year 12 (3rd test)
Wednesday 17 March	Year 10 (3rd test)	Year 11 (3rd test)
Thursday 18 March	Year 8 (3rd test)	Year 9 (3rd test)
Friday 19 March	Year 7 (3rd test)

Home testing

After the three on site tests, families will be asked to engage with home testing. Full guidance will follow to support you in managing this process.

If you have any additional queries please direct them to covidtestingsite@sandringham.herts.sch.uk

UPDATE : Fri January 15th : New Documentation added. (see downloads)

Lockdown : Risk Assessment additions and revisions.
Lateral Flow Testing : Risk Assessment

UPDATE : Weds January 5th : Covid Notifications during Remote Learning

During the current Lockdown and Remote Learning Period we ask you to still inform the school if a student needs to self-isolate due to being in contact with someone who tests COVID positive or if a student themselves tests COVID positive.

You can advise the school by emailing – absence@sandringham.herts.sch.uk

Title your email – COVID Notification; include the students full name, tutor group and dates of isolation. If they have had a positive COVID result please include the date of the test and the date when symptoms first appeared. This email address will be checked on a daily basis throughout the holidays.

UPDATE : Fri December 18th : Covid Notifications during the holiday period

During the Christmas holidays please can we ask you to still inform the school if a student needs to self-isolate due to being in contact with someone who tests COVID positive or if a student themselves tests COVID positive.

You can advise the school by emailing – absence@sandringham.herts.sch.uk

UPDATE : Fri December 18th : Message from Alan Gray, Headteacher – Update from DfE

There have been a number of announcements from ministers this week and there will be more information coming out during the holiday period. It is unfortunate this is last-minute communication however we will do our very best to consider and react to all necessary changes.

The first is that minsters have advised that only years 11 and 13 will return to school for physical lessons at the beginning of term (5^th January 2021). This means that Years 7 – 10 and 12 will be working from home using our Virtual Learning Curriculum delivery. We are not sure how long this will be, further details are to come. It is possible this will be for the first few days to give time for schools to prepare for mass testing.

The second announcement is that schools will be encouraged to support the regular mass testing of staff and students. Secondary schools are in the first phase, and the expectation is that this starts at the beginning of term. The requirements are significant, both in terms of resources and staffing, and this may be a massive challenge for schools to moblise so quickly. Any testing is voluntary and will require parental permission for students, so please rest assured that nothing will happen without full communications and consent. The aim is to help keep everyone safe and in school unless they are ill. It should avoid having to self-isolate for 10 days. We will consider the implications of this and begin preparations over the holiday period.

I will end by reminding everyone to stay as safe as possible over this period, and to check communications as we near the start of term for any updates on the above arrangements.

UPDATE : Thursday October 1st

Please see updated letters from Public Health England and a letter to all Parents/Carers.

23rd September – PHE letter to parents and guardians

Sandringham School COVID-19 Parental Advice

UPDATE: Weds Sept 9th

Following a review of systems at the school and the latest changes to how we are able to operate nationally in response to this increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases, we are making some adjustments to how we operate as a school from tomorrow (Thursday). At the moment we have had no reported cases at school, and we want to keep it that way. We need to be pragmatic and adjust when we think it will improve outcomes to keep everyone as safe as possible in a school environment.

From Thursday:

You must have a plain, hygienic face mask and a hygienic bag to carry it in. You must wear the mask when you are moving in corridors and the canteen area at all times, and are encouraged to continue wearing them when you are outside close to other students. You do not need to wear them when out on the open field. There is no change in lessons – face masks should not be worn in the classroom. You must follow the clear guidance on how to safely wear a mask – there are lots of information posters around the school giving advice on this. You need to make sure you clean your face mask regularly, or change it. If you use a disposal mask, this must be disposed of in a bin. They MUST NOT be left around in the open. Staff are encouraged to wear face masks in corridors and the canteen area, but wearing masks is not compulsory for staff because they may need to communicate with you in order to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

In your free time, you stay within your year group as currently, but you must make sure you are in groups of no more than SIX.
From tomorrow we are going to TRIAL removing the one-way system OUTSIDE (the one-way system in the buildings will remain as it is currently). This will be for Thursday and Friday to see if this improves flow in certain areas of the school. If it does not improve the flow then we will adjust the one-way system and move back to this from Monday. For this to work, you must always KEEP TO THE LEFT when moving outside.
If you travel on the school coaches or on public transport you MUST WEAR A MASK. This is no change from the current situation, but I thought it would be helpful to remind you of this.
When travelling to school and home from school, make sure you do so quickly and not in groups of more than six.
As always, consider carefully your actions outside the school at all times. Follow the guidance and make sure you uphold our values as a school in whatever you do.

UPDATE: Fri Aug 21st

You have had all the detail previously, but to avoid any doubt, I have included some of the key information again below to help you with the start to school. Attached to this communication is our overall strategy for return that you may wish to check through.

If you have PE or dance on a particular day, you must arrive and spend the day in your PE or dance kit. This is to avoid the need for changing.

You will be spending your break and lunchtimes OUTSIDE rather than in tutor rooms as normal. You will also be eating your food outside. Remember to always bring your school coat with you (even if it is warm in the morning) just in case the weather deteriorates during the day. There is no Open Access at the start of term.

We have moved to a new system for payment for food at break and lunchtimes. You will receive your new Sandringham Access Badge at the start of term which will be used to pay for food and drink. This must be loaded with money by parents/carers through the online system. There will be no facility for accepting cash. Further details of this will be sent separately from the finance office.

Masks should be worn when using corridors or other common areas eg Hall & Canteen.
Masks should not be worn in the classroom or any practical lesson. Masks must be removed if instructed by a member of staff.
When not in use masks should be placed in a sealable hygienic plastic bag.
The mask must be plain, changed daily and taken home for disposal or replacement. Bandanas and similar coverings are not permitted.

The entire site is now ready for our new way of working including the new one-way system. You must follow all the new health and safety procedures put in place and as you will imagine, if you deliberately put the safety of either yourself or others (students or staff) at risk due to poor behaviour you will be dealt with most severely.

Finally, another reminder that you should be very careful travelling to and from school, avoiding being in large groups and loitering in the streets. Our local community is anxious about large numbers of you being on the streets so we clearly want to be respectful to them.