COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 17/03/2020
Queen Mary’s School continues to be vigilant and is taking the necessary steps to ensure, as far as possible, that the School community is not affected by the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Our aim is to adopt a responsible strategy having regard to the best current advice, especially that given by the Government, Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England.
Continuity of Education
There is much speculation about school closures, and although it is our intention not to close the School unless we are required to do so, we are creating additional electronic resources so that learning can continue remotely using Google Classroom which will enable teachers to set and mark work. We are also preparing video conferencing facilities for home lessons using Google Meet.
Forthcoming School Events
In planning for different scenarios, the Incident Management Team has taken the difficult decision to postpone or cancel a number of large group events. We will continue to monitor the situation regarding further cancellations.
GCSE Examinations this Summer
The advice from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) at this time is to continue to prepare for GCSE examinations as normal. The latest guidance from the DfE indicates that Ofqual continues to work closely with examination boards to plan for a range of scenarios. Their overriding priorities are fairness to candidates and keeping disruption to a minimum.
Travel
The school has issued Travel Declaration Forms to all parents who must keep the school up to date of any travel plans.
Hygiene in School
In PSHE lessons all girls have been shown how to wash their hands for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, and have been told to do this on a regular basis. Covering mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and putting it in the bin afterwards has also been reiterated, as well as avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth if their hands are not clean.
The cleaners and catering teams are working harder than ever to disinfect surfaces and ensure that tissues and hand sanitizer are available. We are also keeping internal doors open to reduce the amount of door handle contact and have plans to carry out a deep clean, should it be necessary.
Visitors
Hand sanitiser is available in the Outer Hall and all visitors will be asked to declare if they have travelled overseas recently or had any contact with a person with symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Contact points
Should you have any concerns or questions please do contact Debbie Hannam Walpole (deputyhead@queenmarys.org) or Carole Cameron (head@queenmarys.org).
Thank you for your support for the health and wellbeing of all at Queen Mary’s. As this is a dynamic situation, we fully expect this to change rapidly and will keep you informed as events unfold.
Carole Cameron
Head
18/03/2020 – Further information will be released very soon to parents, staff and visitors following the latest announcements.
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