New website for parents to help their children catch-up
The department has launched an information site for parents, to support children of all age ranges and abilities catch up on lost learning from the pandemic. The site features advice and support for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as programmes, resources and activities for children and young people this summer.
Please do share this with your parent networks.
Further information can be found on the education catch-up for your child homepage.
Latest coronavirus guidance
COVID 19 Risk Assessment Template September 2021 APJS
Privacy Statement – Track and Trace
Please find updated information for your use:
LFT home test kits are regular home-testing for people with no symptoms. Tests can be ordered free online or collected from your local pharmacy.
It is vital that all children’s absences and the symptoms of their illness are reported to the school office on the first day of illness, to ensure the right action is taken to keep our school community and your families safe. (Tel: 01207 234531)
If your child is ill with any of the following symptoms, you MUST request a PCR coronavirus test (even if you think it is another type of illness) and keep your child at home, until the test result is returned:
- A high temperature;
- A new, continuous cough;
- Loss or change of sense of smell or taste.
School needs to be informed if a child is taking a test and of the test result, whether it is negative or positive.
How to book a test.
There are a variety of ways to book a PCR test:
- Using a drive-in, walk-in or mobile test unit (this has the quickest test result return);
- By ordering a home-test kit.
There are different ways to order a home-test kit or book an appointment at a test site:
- Online at: https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/antigen/name
- Phone 111 if symptoms worsen or go online to: https://111.nhs.uk/COVID-19
- Phone 119 for testing track and trace.
Returning home test kits.
You can return test kits by:
- Booking a courier online to pick up your home-test.
- Finding the nearest priority box at: https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you#/
Waiting for the test result or/and a positive test result.
For individuals who are symptomatic and/or test positive for coronavirus please follow the latest NHS guidance, which can be found at:
Individuals with symptoms or/and a positive test result isolate for 10 days.
For guidance on responding to coronavirus in children, please follow the link at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/coronavirus-in-children/
What to do if another person, who you have been in close contact with, tests positive.
Current advice is to take a PCR test – track and trace should contact you if you have been in close contact with a positive case of covid.
Close contact is:
- Direct close contact –face-to-face contact with an infected individual for any length of time, within 1 metre, including being coughed on, a face-to-face conversation, or unprotected physical contact (skin-to-skin);
- Proximity contacts -extended close contact (within 1 to 2 metres for more than 15 minutes) with an infected individual;
- Travelling in a small vehicle, like a car, with an infected person.
What do the different results mean?
Individuals can end their isolation if there are no symptoms and a negative coronavirus result, unless track and trace tell you not to. Advice may vary and you do need to follow track and trace advice.
However, if further symptoms develop, there will be a need to isolate and a further test may be appropriate. Please follow the advice from track and trace for this:
parents/carers to contact https://111.nhs.uk/COVID
How to help school?
-Inform school in the first day of any illness by speaking to the school office, clearly explaining the symptoms your child has.
-Following the advice above.
-Keeping school informed of any tests taking place and the result, whether negative or positive.
-If a child or your household has to self-isolate make sure we know the expected date of return to school for your child.
-When asked to self-isolate, follow this correctly for the correct time-scale.
How school can help you?
-If self-isolation has to take place, we will provide you with your child’s work to home-school for the period of isolation on our remote learning platform, DB Primary.
Current Drop-Off and Pick-Up Arrangements
All children enter in the morning through the front gate from 8:30 to 8:45 am (school starts at 8:45am) but exit changes at the end of the day, depending on whose class children are in. The school day ends at 3pm.
When dropping off or picking up please remember to socially distance and if you can’t, wear a face mask. If approaching staff to talk to them please wear a face mask.
Class 3 (Year 3): Miss Angus Exit at hometime through the front gate
Class 3/4 (Year 3/4): Mrs Taylor Exit at hometime through the front gate
Class 5/6 (Year 5/6): Mrs Marley Exit at hometime through the side street gate of school
Class 4/5 (Year 4/5): Mrs Buckton Exit at hometime through the side street gate of school
Class 6 (Year 6): Mrs Dorward Exit at hometime through the side street gate of school
Parent support
Action for Happiness
A range of ideas and resources linked to happiness. To discuss with your children about what matters the most. Which links well to the work on resilience we do in school. https://www.actionforhappiness.org/toolkit-for-schools
Parent Pupil Wellbeing Pack – Juniors & Mental Health Website Support for Parents
Children’s mental wellbeing organisations for support
Adult mental wellbeing organisations for support
Citizen’s advice can offer support with finances, contact details,
http://www.citizensadvicecd.org.uk/
0300 330 9027 – Advice Line Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
0300 323 2000 – Debt Advice Line Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm
0300 323 1000 – To cancel or rearrange appointments
Homestay [formally Stonham] can offer support with finances, rent arrears etc.
To contact gateway ring Durham Homestay team.
Gateway on 0191 332 4935 / e-mail GatewayDurham@homegroup.org.uk
Stanley Community Centre
Telephone or text: 07775874413 if you need support around anxiety, food, social communication, your children.
Foodbank information:
The website link below will direct you to information about your local food bank.
FamilyLine offer a free service available to support adult family members on all aspects of family life issues, whether it is emotional support or practicable advice on any aspect of parenting or broader family issues – Tel Number: 0808 802 6666, text: 07537 404282 or email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
SEND update for parents:
Durham SENDIASS have also devised a guide to help parents, carers and young people (16-25) to continue to access the service during the COVID-19 Outbreak. Please see the information guide below with key contacts.
SENDIASS and MCT Virtual Zoom Coffee Mornings
SENDIASS and MCT are planning some twice weekly virtual Zoom coffee mornings / evenings until the middle of June for Parents / Carers of Young people ages 0-25 with a disability or additional need.
Please follow relevant date link below to register.
** Thursday 10am-11.30am** ( Link works for every Thursday until 11th June. Please register for every one you wish to attend)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoc-yqrT8jH9Yip0ac2512JahbkTv41pHf
** Tuesday 6pm-7.30pm * ( Link works for every Tuesday until 16th June. Please register for every one you wish to attend)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoc-itrz4rH9z2jClhHw5-mjAA1X44Axy0
Any questions please email us at SENDIASS@durham.gov.uk
North East Autism Society
Offer support with enquiries via telephone, email, and Facebook. They also have a private family network page where they are offering lots of support and guidance.
For more information call 0191 4109974
Face book page North east Autism Society
Email info@ne-as.org.uk
SEN Grant opportunities
