Nearly two years after they were first introduced, Boris Johnson has finally announced the mitigation of all COVID-19 restrictions. People who test positive for the virus are no longer required to self isolate, although it is still recommended. But, what does this mean for primary and secondary schools?

 

Richard Challoner School in New Malden have outlined the changes they will be making in line with new laws. Sean Maher, the secondary school’s headmaster, says that there will be no requirement for face masks to be worn by the students. However, students are advised to still bring them in for circumstances whereby teachers may ask them to be used. For example, Mr Maher states that an instance where this might be necessary is in science lessons when students gather around the teachers desk to observe a demonstration. Due to the close proximity between students and teachers, Mr Maher believes face masks would help avoid any cross contamination. 

 

In regards to testing and isolation, students and staff are no longer required to test twice a week which was the government requirement prior to Johnson’s announcement. Sean Maher mentioned that the school will still keep a stock of Lateral Flow tests available for either parents or students to pick up and use. Mr Maher advises anyone to pick them up if they are experiencing Covid-like symptoms such as a high temperature, new frequent cough, loss of taste or smell, severe headache. 

 

Sean Maher still advises that if a member of staff or a student tests positive that they isolate for five school days despite Johnsons mitigating isolation laws. Mr Maher believes that this is the best way to ‘serve the common good and endeavour to keep levels of Covid transmission down in our community’. 

 

As a school, Richard Challoner will still keep hand sanitizer readily available around the school site and staff will be encouraging students to sanitise on a regular basis. Mr Maher also states that the school will continue with enhanced cleaning and disinfection, as well as ventilation of all classrooms and corridors. 

 

Hurst Park Primary School, in West Molesey, advises that staff and students who receive a positive test result continue to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least 5 full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received 2 negative test results on consecutive days. The assistant headteacher, Asma Laher, states that if a student is off school due to Covid-19, this absence will be recorded as an illness (the same as sickness or diarrhoea. Although students at the primary school have never been required to wear face coverings, Mrs Laher states staff are encouraged to still wear face coverings in communal areas.