Dorset Council is working closely with Public Health Dorset and all schools to safely manage any Coronavirus cases that occur. All schools, colleges and education settings are following Dorset Council, Department for Education and Public Health guidance. Risk assessments have been carried out and hygiene measures are in place. Plans have been prepared to make sure any incidents are dealt with promptly and safely.
Parents, carers and young people can help by following public health guidance out of school. This includes keeping at least one metre, but preferably two, apart from anyone not in your household and washing your hands frequently. You must self-isolate and get tested if you have symptoms of Coronavirus, such as a high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. Latest government guidance for parents and carers is available here.
We realise school closures or partial closures are very inconvenient and we do apologise to parents, carers and young people for any difficulties caused. Measures will only be taken if they are needed to protect the health of our community, thank you for your patience.
Yewstock School, Sturminster Newton, – update posted 9 September 2020
Yewstock school has closed for deep cleaning and is expected to re-open on Monday 14 September. Here is a statement from Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils. He said: “We are aware that a member of staff from Yewstock school has tested positive for COVID-19. Public Health Dorset and Dorset Council are working with the school to make sure all necessary measures are in place. The school has closed as a precautionary measure for a deep clean and pupils will be returning to school slightly later than planned.
“All staff who are deemed to have been close contacts of the confirmed case have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14-days. Contacts of the confirmed case should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 14-days.
“It’s important we all follow the latest guidance by staying 2 metres apart from others, washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and if you have any COVID symptoms self-isolate straight away and book a test.”
The Gryphon School remains open – update posted 9 September 2020
Some students have had to isolate after a case was confirmed.
Here is a statement from Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils. He said: “We are aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a pupil at The Gryphon School. The school are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.
“All close contacts of the pupil have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14-days. Contacts of the confirmed case should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 14-days.”
St Marks CE Primary School in Swanage – update posted 9 September 2020
St Mark’s School has had to close for 14 days and is expected to re-open on Monday 21 September. This is a precautionary measure after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was in the school premises just before children returned to school. On advice from Public Health England South West, several staff members have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days. St Mark’s is a small school so this will affect the safe operating levels of the school.
For the safety of their pupils, St Mark’s CE Primary School has no option but to close until the end of the isolation period. The school will be closed from immediate effect and we expect it to reopen on Monday 21 September. Because of the prompt action taken by the school no children have been exposed to or have come into contact with the confirmed case. The school will be working closely with Dorset Council and PHE to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are met.
Headteacher Sally Craig said: “We have written to the parents and carers of our pupils advising of a school closure for 14 days. This is after one of our members of staff tested positive for COVID-19. I would like to reassure our parents we have been working closely with PHE and Dorset Council to make sure this is managed appropriately and the school will be ready to reopen soon. We will be making arrangements so pupils can carry out work at home so that they can continue their learning.”
Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils, said: “Public Health England and the school have completed a risk assessment, and we are taking all necessary measures to make sure we minimise the risk of any transmission in the school. The school has been working closely with PHE and ourselves and this is being managed appropriately. We will support the school as they provide home learning to the pupils and we will continue to provide advice and guidance to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained. It is important everyone self-isolating adheres to the government guidance; if they don’t have symptoms they do not need to get a test. However if a member of their household has symptoms and takes a test then they should self-isolate.
“I would like to remind all our schools and the wider community that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to regularly wash your hands, maintain social distancing and to continue to stay at home as much as possible. If you do start to develop coronavirus symptoms, such as a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of taste or smell, please self-isolate and book a test. We would like to reassure people living and working in Dorset that while we do expect to see more cases in the weeks and months ahead, we have robust mechanisms in place to contain the infection and protect the health of the local community.”
