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Lagan College

Re-Start Policy and Procedures

Amended 19 August 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 Promoting a Safe and Healthy School Environment in Lagan College Page 3

Section 2 Safe Social Distancing Page 3

Section 3 Face Coverings Page 4

Section 4 Maintaining Good Hand Hygiene Page 6

Section 5 School Day Page 7

Section 6 Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up of Students Page 8

Section 7 Student Registration and Sign Out Page 9

Section 8 Break and Lunchtime Arrangements Page 9

Section 9 Dining Hall Provision Page 10

Section 10 Bathroom Facilities Page 10

Section 11 Teaching and Learning Classroom Provision Page 11

Section 12 Curriculum and Subject Delivery Page 12

Section 13 Home Learning Provision Page 13

Section 14 Learning Support Provision Page13

Section 15 PE and Games Provision Page 13

Section 16 Student and Staff Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Page 14

Section 17 School Nurse and First Aid Provision Page 15

Section 18 Visitors to School Page 15

Section 19 Student and Staff Attendance Page 16

Section 20 Student and Staff who Become Symptomatic on Site Page 17

Section 21 Test, Trace and Protect Page 18

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Lagan College

School Re-Start Policy and Procedures

Lagan College is committed to keeping all its students and staff as safe as possible

in keeping with our integrated school ethos and values of respect, service,

reconciliation and equality.

The following school policy and procedures have been written in response to the

COVID-19 emergency pandemic in order to keep students and staff as safe as

possible, in response to Public Health Authority and DENI guidelines and risks

identified to health and safety of children and adults in a school setting. When

creating our school policy and procedures, we have used the following guidance:

Education Restart-Re-opening of Schools Guidance

Supporting staff to Return to Schools Guidance

As Government advice is subject to change, Lagan College reserves the right to

amend our School Re-Start Policy and Procedures at any time in order to keep our

school community as safe as possible.

Critically Important: Students, staff, parent(s)/carer(s) and adults should not

enter Lagan College if they display any COVID-19 symptoms. Instead they

should seek advice from their GP and the Government helpline 111 and inform

the Principal of their situation.

1 Promoting a safe and healthy school environment in Lagan College.

It is essential that everyone continues to:

Practice social distancing as per the guidelines for young people and adults.

Wash their hands thoroughly throughout the day and sanitise.

‘Catch it, kill it, bin it’ when they sneeze or cough.

Wear a face mask and/or visor as per our school policy and procedure.

2 Safe Social Distancing in line with government guidance will be practiced where

possible

A. Adults will keep 2 metres apart if possible.

B. Adults to students will keep 2 metres apart if possible unless the child’s

personal education plan requires Classroom Assistant Support.

C. Student to student will keep 1 metre apart if possible.

D. Students will remain in their year group ‘bubble’ except for travelling to and

from school.

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E. The number of adults/children permitted into school spaces/

offices/bathrooms will be limited to allow for social distancing to be

maintained. ‘A Maximum Number of Occupants’ sign will be displayed outside

these venues and must be adhered to.

F. A one-way system will operate inside the building for all students. This will be

clearly signposted on the floor and walls. Students will be given further details

during the return to school induction programmes.

G. Students in Years 8-10 will remain in their Form Class as a protective ‘bubble’

in order to reduce student movement around the site as per DENI Guidance.

Their Form class ‘learning base class’ will also be their allocated learning

paced class. Students will change location for games, mathematics, modern

languages, break and lunch.

H. Break times will be split into 3 sessions. Students will be outside unless the

weather is particularly inclement (please see the school day section).

I. Lunchtime will be split into 3 sessions. Students will be outside after eating,

unless the weather is particularly inclement (please see section on school

day).

J. There will be no morning assemblies.

K. There will be no indoor clubs before, during and after school until further

notice.

L. Sports activities will take place in line with the guidance issued by the relevant

Governing Bodies.

M. Before any planned meeting or activity a risk assessment of the venue must

ascertain if social distancing is possible.

N. Staff supervising students on duty will maintain a 2 metre distance where

possible.

O. Only students with a disability or medical condition will be able to access the

lift.

3. Face Coverings

Please be aware that some adults and students are exempt from wearing face

coverings in Lagan College, as verified on medical grounds. This will be by prior

agreement before the school restart with the Principal on completion of an individual

risk assessment. Parent(s)/carer(s) must email the Vice Principal in charge of

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing in the first instance – dcollins764@c2ken.net

Public Health guidance (http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-

coronavirus/covid-19-information-publicHface-coverings) recommends that face

coverings are used in particular circumstances i.e. short periods in enclosed spaces

where social distancing is not possible.

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A. It is mandatory for all staff to wear a Perspex face visor (supplied) at all times

where safe and practicable. Staff may also wear a face mask but not in the

classroom setting if it inhibits their ability to carry out their role and

communicate with students and staff.

B. All parent(s)/carer(s) and other adults visiting the school for meetings or

otherwise, must wear a face mask.

C. Staff will wear their Perspex face visor throughout a meeting with

parent(s)/carer(s) and other adults. Staff may also wear a face mask, as long

as it does not inhibit their ability to carry out their role.

D. It is mandatory for all our students aged 13 or over to wear a face mask

on public transport, however, it is strongly recommended that masks should

be worn by all Lagan College students.

E. It is mandatory for all students to wear a face mask on education

authority transport when travelling to and from school or for school related

activities.

F. It is mandatory for all students to wear a face mask on private hire

transport for school activities.

G. It is mandatory for all students to wear a face mask indoors when

moving in and around the school for any reason and when moving

to/from and getting on/off transport.

H. Students may wear a face mask in the classroom by personal choice. This

may be subject to change as we monitor the school return and Public Health

and Department of Education advice.

I. Students in all year groups may also, on occasion, be required to wear their

face mask outside the buildings on school grounds where there are large

numbers of students and adults and where social distancing is not possible eg

fire evacuation.

Further information on face coverings can be found www.nidirect.gov.uk/face-

coverings

J. There is a clear distinction between Personal Protective Equipment and face

coverings, be that a Perspex visor or face mask. PPE is specialist medical

grade equipment and will continue to be used when supporting some students

whose hygiene or care needs involve the possible spread of liquids such as

vomiting or spitting. The guidance on the use of PPE is led by underlying

health need of a student and is unchanged. Further use on face coverings is

available at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/face-coverings

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To be effective face masks: -

MUST cover both nose and mouth;

MUST be changed when they become moist and damaged;

MUST be worn once and then discarded- hands must be cleaned after

disposal;

MUST NOT be allowed to dangle around the neck; and

MUST NOT be touched once put on, except when carefully removed before

disposal.

K. In some school spaces it will be necessary to erect perspex screens to further

safeguard staff and students, eg at reception and in reprographics.

L. At present, students and staff may bring and use their own face masks

however, these must be appropriate and in keeping with the school’s

integrated and inclusive ethos. Please note that we are currently sourcing a

Lagan College face mask which may be part of our uniform requirements in

the future.

4. Maintaining Good Hand Hygiene

A. Students, staff, parent(s)/carer(s) and all other visitors will be reminded orally

and visually of the need to wash/sanitise their hands regularly and thoroughly

throughout the day.

B. It is mandatory for all students/staff/parent/carer(s) and visitors to hand

sanitise on entry to the school buildings, classrooms and offices.

C. Hand gel sanitisers have been installed at all entrances to the school buildings

and inside all classrooms and offices at hand sanitisation stations.

D. Students and staff may bring and use their own hand gel to maintain good

hand hygiene.

E. Students and staff should avoid touching their faces including their mouth,

eyes and nose: use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use the bins

that are emptied regularly for waste.

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5. School Day

A. Unless otherwise notified, the timings for the school day will be as follows:

Early Arrival: Students must not be dropped off before 8.30am at which time they

must proceed to and remain in the bistro playground (Years 8/9/10), the technology

and big tree courtyards (Years 11/12) or outside the Sports Hall (Sixth Form)

9.00 Junior students (Years 8/9/10) will enter the school buildings and move

to their learning based classrooms.

Senior students (Years 11/12/Sixth Form) will remain outside the

buildings until 9.10 am.

9.10 Form class

9.20 Period 1

10.00 Period 2

Break 1 Years 8/9 10.05-10.20 Bistro/Front of School Playground

Break 2 Years 10/11 10.25- 10.40 Bistro/Front of School Playground

Break 3 Years 12/Sixth Form 10.45-11.00 Bistro/ Sports Hall and outside space

11.00 Period 3

11.40 Period 4

12.20 Period 5

Lunch Years 8/9 15 mins in class - 20 mins outside Bistro/Front School

12:55 Period 6

Lunch Years 10/11 15 mins in class/D Hall -20 mins outside

Bistro/Front School

13.30-14.05 Period 7

Lunch Years 12/Sixth Form 15 mins D Hall/Sports Hall -20 mins

Bistro/Front School

14.05-14.45 Period 8

14.45-15.25 Period 9

15.25 pm School Finish

Staggered Departure to ease congestion

Years 8/9 will be released at 3.10 pm

Years 10/11 will be released at 3.20 pm

Years 12/Sixth Form released at 3.25 pm

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B There will be no morning or whole school assemblies.

C All students will attend Form class

D Students will be shown where to line up for new school bus queues.

6. Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up of Students

A Parent(s)/carer(s) may drop off their child/children in the morning using the

one-way system on school site between 8.30 am and 9.00 am before the

buses arrive. Morning drop off may be subject to change if any unexpected

health and safety issues arise with respect to vehicle volume.

B Parent(s)/Carer(s) will only be able to drive on to the site from 8.30am –

2.50 pm at 5 miles per hour in order to drop off for school start and collect for

appointments during the day.

C In the afternoon, parent(s)/carer(s) will not permitted to pick up their

child from inside the school gates in the afternoon for any reason during

Period 9 (2.50 pm-3.30 pm) on health and safety grounds and to

maximize space for bus queues and social distancing.

D In the afternoon, parent(s)/carer(s) are strongly advised to agree a safe drop

off and pick up location of their child/children in the local residential area to

support Lagan College’s Re-Opening. All able-bodied students are capable

of walking for 5 minutes to any number of local residential streets.

Students should carry an umbrella/coat and plan for inclement weather.

The only exception will be students who have a verified medical condition or

who are registered disabled. This will be by prior agreement with the school

Principal on completion of an individual risk assessment. Parent(s)/carer(s)

must email the Vice Principal in charge of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing in the

first instance dcollins764@c2ken.net

E In the afternoon, parent(s)/carer(s) are asked not to park outside on the

Manse Road, the grass verges outside the school or across our

neighbours’ entrance driveways as this causes upset to local residents

and may involve PSNI intervention if it becomes a public safety issue.

We trust this should not be the case and appreciate your support.

F Students are not permitted to socialise in Cregagh Glen or walk on the Rocky

Road for health and safety reasons.

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7. Student Registration and Sign Out

A All students must attend Form Class to register their attendance.

B Students will not be permitted to leave the school site for any reason unless

they have 24 hour written notice to do so in their student planner via email to

their Form Tutors from their parent/carer for a planned event.

C Unplanned emergency medical or emergency dental appointments will be

supported if contact is made in person/via phone/email to the school office

account (office@lagancollege.com) by their parent/carer to verify.

D Year 14 students may sign out and leave after their last timetabled lesson

each day. Year 14 students are not allowed to leave the site for any other

reason during the day.

E All Sixth Form students will be permitted to leave on Wednesday afternoon

immediately after Period 6 (1.35 pm) unless they are studying GCSE

English/GCSE Mathematics/involved in Sport/personal study or in timetabled

classes.

8. Break and Lunchtime Arrangements

A All students are required to bring their own break and recyclable bottle

containing water or juice. Students and staff are not permitted to bring

single use plastic bottles to Lagan College from 1 September 2020 as it is a

single use plastic bottle free zone (please see dining facilities section).

B Students must bring their own packed lunch, except for those children in

receipt of Free Schools Meals who will be issued with a packed lunch initially

from 1 September (please see dining facilities section).

C At break and lunchtime students will be outside unless the weather is

particularly inclement (only students with medical condition or disability will be

exempt from this arrangement as agreed with the Principal).

D Students should bring an umbrella and/or coat.

E In response to particularly inclement weather, as managed by Miss Collins VP

in charge of Pastoral Care, students will be supervised in the following

venues.

Inclement Weather Sheltered Areas for Year Groups

Year Group Breaktime Lunchtime

Year 8 Form Class Form Class

Year 9 Form Class Form Class

Year 10 Form Class Form Class

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Year 11 Students will be given a designated area for Break and

Lunchtime

Dining Hall/Breeney Foyer/Courtyard Covered Ways/Bistro/Bistro Covered

Ways

Year 12 Students will be given a designated area for Break and

Lunchtime

Dining Hall/Breeney Foyer/Courtyard Covered Ways/Bistro/Bistro Covered

Way

Sixth Form Sports Hall

9. Dining Hall Provision

A. Initially, there will be no dining hall provision of hot or cold food. All

parent(s)/carer(s) will be informed when normal dining hall provision and the

cashless service will resume.

B. Students in receipt of a free school meal will have a packed lunch provided by

the catering staff until mid-September when it is envisaged that a hot meal will

be available for these students in the first instance.

C. Students entitled to a Free School Meal in Years 8-10 will have their packed

lunch delivered to their Form classroom. All parent(s)/carer(s) will be informed

when normal dining hall provision and the use of the cashless system will

resume.

D. Students in Years 11-14 will be able to collect their packed lunch from the

dining hall at lunchtime. All parent(s)/carer(s) will be informed when normal

dining hall provision and the use of the cashless system will resume.

E. Water fountains will only be available for students and staff to re-fill recyclable

water bottles or recyclable cups. Students or staff will not be permitted to drink

directly form water fountains on health and safety grounds.

10. Bathroom Facilities

A All student, staff and visitor toilets will be available.

B Year groups will be assigned communal toilets to use pre-school/break/lunch.

C Students, staff and visitors must adhere to occupancy rules signposted clearly

outside in order to maintain social distancing in communal toilets.

D All communal toilets have been furnished with soap/ towels (or a hand drier)

and wipes. Students and staff must adhere to hand washing guidance

signposted clearly inside in order to keep occupants safe.

E All students should go to the bathroom during break and lunchtime. If a

student needs to attend the bathroom in an emergency during class time,

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they should ask their teacher who will issue them with a toilet access sticker.

This must be worn in conjunction with their face mask.

F Enhanced cleaning will take place in bathrooms and social spaces throughout

the day by the three housekeepers.

11. Teaching and Learning Classroom Provision

A Staff and students will access classrooms in accordance with their timetable,

using the one-way system for wayfinding. All students will be taken on a tour

during their induction day.

B Students in Years 8-10 will access their Form class ‘learning base’ bubble

room for all subjects except Maths, Modern Languages and games.

C Students will be seated at single desks 1 metre apart facing forward towards

the teacher and learning wall.

D Students who require access to a Classroom Assistant will be seated at the

front of the room in order initially to maintain a 2 metre distance between

adults and students as per DENI guidance.

E Students will be placed in a seating plan established by the teacher in order to

maintain contact details for test and tracing purposes and support good re-

opening routines.

F On entry into the classroom/study space, students will be met by a Hygiene

Station. All students and staff entering the classroom must wash their hands

or use hand gel as provided (staff and students may use their own).

G On entry into a new classroom/study space, students and staff must wipe

down their desk and/or PC to their own satisfaction. Wipes and tissues will be

provided in every classroom and study space.

H Doors and windows will be kept open as much as possible to increase natural

ventilation and reduce contact with door handles. GRAHAM FM will advise the

Principal of best practice in terms of fire safety.

I Students must bring in a bag containing their learning materials, charged iPad

or approved device, pencil case (pencil, ruler, protractor, compass), folder,

calculator, water bottle and packed lunch/free school meal.

J Students will not be permitted to share learning materials such as books or

stationery.

K Students must adhere to health and safety and social distancing rules

otherwise it may not be possible to support their learning in Lagan College.

L If students need to share learning equipment for teacher demonstration

purposes it must be cleaned before use by another student and wiped down.

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M Enhanced cleaning will take place in classrooms/study spaces used for break

and lunchtime

N All Classrooms will be cleaned daily after school, but specialist classrooms

will be cleaned by Departmental technicians eg Science/HE/Art during the day

dependent on learning activities undertaken.

O Enhanced cleaning will be carried out in general and specialist classrooms

and study spaces/school venues if a student or staff is diagnosed with

COVID-19 in order to minimise risk of the spread of the virus.

12. Curriculum and Subject Delivery

Junior School

A Students in Years 8-10 will be taught all subject areas within their Form

Classroom or ‘learning base room’ or ‘bubble’ which is a general classroom

except for mathematics, modern languages and games when students may

change venue.

B Students in Years 8-10 will access demonstrations of practical learning

activities by their subject teacher and via e-Learning technology until the

school receives further guidance from DENI on curriculum subject delivery in

areas such as music/drama/HE/Technology/ICT/Science via ‘bubbles’.

C Students will receive a personal learning tray containing their own equipment

if a teacher is delivering a practical lesson in a general classroom that

requires students to handle equipment.

Senior School

A Students in Years 11-14 will access all their GCSE/GCE core and option

classes as normal and use the one-way system to move to their timetabled

classes.

B Students in Years 11-14 will access demonstrations of practical activities by

the teacher and via e-Learning technology or until the school receives further

guidance from DENI and exam boards on curriculum and specification

delivery in in subjects that require practical components.

C Students will receive a personal learning tray containing their own equipment

if a teacher is delivering a practical GCSE/GCE lesson in the specialist/or

general classroom that requires equipment to be handled.

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13. Home Learning Provision

A All students must bring a charged iPad to school daily to continue working in a

blended approach and receive training on google classroom to prepare for

any further serious school disruption and Home Learning.

B If a student has an issue with their iPad their parent/carer should inform their

Form Teacher before the school day gets underway via the student planner

so that the Year team can put a plan in place to help and utilise the help of the

e-Learning technicians.

C The school will issue its new Home Learning Policy 2020/21 as soon as

possible to offset the potential of a second school lockdown or if an individual

student has to work from home.

14. Learning Support Provision

A Students with Statements of Special Educational Needs will be able to access

their Classroom Assistant Support from the front of the classroom to maintain

social distancing. The Classroom Assistant will communicate via the daily

diary as normal, which will be stored in a plastic bag and carried to and from

school.

B Students with Statements of Special Educational Needs will have a personal

education plan and risk assessment if necessary, devised and agreed in

partnership with the student, their parent(s)/carer(s) by the Learning Support

Department.

C It is envisaged that a small number of students may need to remain at home

due to serious medical conditions and will access learning materials online or

material sent home. This will be co-ordinated by the Head of Additional

Educational Needs and Head of School.

D Students with an identified learning need and in receipt of learning support will

continue to access help outside the classroom. The student will have a

personal education plan and risk assessment devised and agreed in

partnership with the student, their parent(s)/carer(s) by the Learning Support

Department. eg Newcomer Language Support/ASD Support/Hearing

Impairment Support, etc…

E The school will issue its new Learning Support Policy 2020/21 as soon as

possible to offset the potential of further school disruption and any second

lockdown period.

15. PE and Games Provision and Changing Rooms

A Students are permitted to wear their Lagan College PE Uniform on the days

timetabled for PE/games or GCSE/A level PE/Sport.

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B Changing Room facilities will only be available to GCSE/A level students as

instructed by the PE Department.

C All students will continue to access socially distanced physical activities

(weather and venue permitting) for games and GCSE/A level PE/Sport.

Students will be able to store their bags in a classroom. Operational

arrangements will be shared with all students by the PE Department, but it is

anticipated that most activities will be undertaken outside as much as

possible.

D There will be no indoor sports clubs before, during and after school until

further notice.

E There will be no outdoor sports clubs before, during and after school until

further notice or on receipt of the relevant governing body’s advice.

F Students who forget their PE Kit will still accompany their year group or Form

class to Games. This should not be an issue as the students must attend

school in their PE Uniform that day or days in the case of senior students

undertaking GCSE and A level PE/Sport.

G Students are not permitted to wear jewelry during PE/games, in line with

health and safety. Retainers may be worn.

16 Student and Staff Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

It is widely recognised that every child and adult will have been affected differently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we are committed as a school to helping everyone who is part of our school community to receive in school/workplace support and to be signposted immediately to professional external agency supports.

A Any student in need of counselling support in confidence will be referred to

the school counsellor and placed waiting list or advised to ring their GP or

attend hospital if in critical need.

B Any staff member in need of counselling support in confidence, will be

referred to Inspire or advised to ring their GP or attend A & E if in critical need.

C The Vice Principal in charge of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing will continue to

communicate and signpost any pastoral support services for young people to

their parent/carers via whole school by Parentmail or on an individual level of

need.

D The Head of Additional Educational Needs will continue to communicate and

signpost any learning support services for young people to their parent/ carers

by parent mail whole school or on an individual level of need.

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E The Principal and HR Manager overseeing staff care and wellbeing will

continue to communicate and signpost any support services to staff at whole

staff level or on an individual level of need.

F Students should be encouraged to speak with a member of staff immediately

if they need any pastoral care or support in school in response to the COVID-

19 pandemic or their personal situation. If a child is experiencing any type of

risk, they must be immediately referred to a member of the Child Protection

and Safeguarding Team.

G Staff should be encouraged to speak with the Principal or HR Manager if they

need any support in the workplace in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or

their personal situation.

H Students and staff may also wish to access support from the Chaplains who

are trained in many aspects of pastoral care and/or Mrs Grant and Mrs

Carlisle who are trained as Mental Health First Aiders.

17. School Nurse and First Aid Provision

A The school nurse or first aider will be available to support students with

medical conditions or in response to an accident on site as normal ensuring

social distancing and adhering to PHA guidance on PPE and safe practice.

B The school nurse or first aider will wear Personal Protection Equipment, if

necessary and in order to administer medical assistance.

C If a student becomes unwell and exhibits any signs COVID-19 the Principal/

VP should be informed and the student will be collected/accompanied to the

Board Room by a senior teacher in order to be collected.

D Parent(s)/carer(s) must not use the school nurse or first aid service in lieu of

ringing their own GP/111 helpline or attending Accident and Emergency if

required.

E Parent(s)/carer(s) must make arrangements to collect their child immediately

from the school site if they are contacted by the Principal/ VP/ Nurse or first

aider on grounds of health and safety.

18. Visitors to the school

A As far as possible deliveries will be made outside school hours

B Parent(s)/carer(s) should not visit the school without an agreed appointment

unless they wish to share a serious child protection issue. Instead the

parent/carer is advised to contact the school office as soon as possible to

make a zoom or face to face meeting time.

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C Only Lagan College staff and essential GRAHAM FM staff/essential

educational visitors will be permitted inside the building in order to maintain

contact details for test and trace purposes

D Staff will not invite visitors into the school unless approved by a Vice Principal

and only for essential Pastoral or Teaching and Learning purposes in order to

maintain contact details for test and trace purposes

E All parent(s)/carer(s) visiting the school must sign in at reception in order to

maintain contact details for test and trace purposes.

F Lagan College will encourage all staff and parent(s)/carer(s) to consider

downloading the NI COVID-19 contact tracing app to support contact tracing.

G Parental meetings will only be possible between 9.30 am– 2.30 pm or after

3.45 pm as our priority is on health and safety.

19. Student and Staff Attendance – as per DENI Document

A Symptoms of COVID-19 before coming to Lagan College

Any student/ staff member who has symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test

must stay at home for 10 days having taken advice from the GP or 111 Public

Health. Parent(s)/Carer(s) should inform the school office requesting to speak

with the Principal or a VP immediately.

If the student/staff member has had a negative result, it is important to apply

caution. If everyone with symptoms who has tested positive in their household

receive a negative result, the student can return to school providing they are

well enough and have not had a fever for 48 hours.

B Students/staff members who develop symptoms in Lagan College

If a student develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, they must follow

procedures as set out in Section 16, by informing a staff member in the first

instance before being referred to the Principal/VP.

Enhanced cleaning will be carried out within any classroom in which an

individual child or adult has developed COVID-19 has been to minimise risk of

the spread of the virus.

C Students/staff who are clinically vulnerable

Lagan College will follow the latest guidance on attendance to school/work for

children and young people and adults who have health problems or who live

with individuals who have health conditions or who are pregnant. Current

guidance on these categories is published on NI Direct and by PHA.

Where medical guidance is for the student/staff member to refrain from

attending school/work, evidence should be provided to the school by the

parent/carer or staff member that the student/staff member must shield due to

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underlying medical conditions. If this is not possible then an unauthorised

absence must be recorded.

People who are clinically vulnerable are those with pre-existing conditions

who have been advised to stringently follow the social distancing advice and

remain at home where possible. A small minority of students and staff will fall

into this category and parents should follow medical advice from a consultant

if they are in this category in order that the school/workplace can devise a risk

assessment and return to work/school plan.

D Students/ staff who were shielding (clinically extremely vulnerable

people)

This is a different group to those who are “clinically vulnerable”. Those who

are shielding are clinically extremely vulnerable and require a different set of

measures to keep them safe.

The most up to date guidance and list of underlying health conditions that

necessitate shielding should be checked on the NI Direct website under

shielding section. Students and staff with serious underlying health conditions

that necessitate shielding are strongly advised to follow shielding measures to

keep themselves safe and not attend school/work in person.

Distance learning and support for the needs of students and distance work

and support for the needs of a staff member will be put in place by Lagan

College following discussion with the student and their parent/carers or the

staff member.

E Students/staff who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable

If a student or young person lives with someone who is clinically vulnerable

but not clinically extremely vulnerable including those who are pregnant, they

can attend school/work.

While Coronavirus can land on fabric and remain there for some time, schools

are not a high-risk environment and while students are encouraged to wear

clean uniform each day- this is not essential. Only students who live with

someone who is clinically vulnerable (as verified in writing) may attend school

wearing school PE kit daily instead of normal uniform to allow more frequent

washing of their clothes. Permission for this must be made in writing to your

child’s Head of School with verification of the family member who is clinically

vulnerable.

Staff should change their work clothes daily.

F Students/Staff who live with someone who was shielding

Students and staff who have household members who are considered

clinically extremely vulnerable (at high risk of severe illness and requiring

‘shielding’). These restrictions eased over time and from 1 August 2020

‘shielding’ has been paused. Such children should have an individual risk

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assessment conducted before the most appropriate plan of care is

determined.

20. Students and Staff Who Become Symptomatic Onsite as per PHA Advice

A If any student or staff member becomes unwell in school with:

a new, continuous cough or

a high temperature/fever or

anosmia (a loss or change in your normal sense of smell, which can also

affect your sense of taste),

he/she will be sent home and advised to follow the PHA advice for

households with possible coronavirus infection. A full record of such actions

will be recorded and a request for parent(s)/carer(s) to put in writing their

acknowledgement of all action in relation to this matter.

B Students waiting to go home will be isolated in the Boardroom at the front of

school. Appropriate adult supervision will be provided. Windows will be

opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to fully isolate the student or staff

member, they will be moved 2 metres away from any other person.

C A risk assessment will be undertaken by the Principal/VP appointed by the

Board of Governors to deal with such a situation. Lagan College will fully

record all steps taken. The record will state who made the decision/who was

contacted, who provided supervision and who collected the student/ staff

member and at what time etc. and follow up parent(s)/carer(s) or the staff

member took as well as Lagan College.

If the student or staff member needs to go to the bathroom during this time,

they will use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom will be cleaned

and disinfected before use by anyone else.

PPE should be worn by staff caring for the student or staff colleague while

they await collection and 2 metres cannot be maintained.

If the student or staff member is seriously ill or unwell or their life is at risk, call

999. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital with the

student or staff member.

If a staff member, (who was wearing appropriate PPE and adhering to social

distancing guidelines) has helped someone with a new continuous cough or

high temperature or loss of taste/smell, they do need to go home unless they

develop symptoms themselves. They should wash their hands thoroughly for

20 seconds after any contact with someone who has developed symptoms.

Clean the affected area with cleaning products, followed by disinfectant after

someone has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others.

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The student or staff member can return to school/ the workplace when they

have completed the necessary period of isolation as advised by the Test,

Trace and Protect Service. This will help contain any potential transmission to

those students/staff and will also assist in protecting the school community.

Enhanced cleaning will be carried out in any classroom or school venues in

which an individual who has developed COVID-19 has been in to minimize

risk of the spread of the virus. This will be clearly communicated to students,

their parent(s)/carer(s)and staff to provide assurance that the environment is

safe.

21 Test, Trace and Protect

Students and staff who exhibit any symptoms associated with COVID-19

should not attend school/work. The NI Executive has rolled out a Test and

Trace and Protect Strategy designed to control the spread of COVID-19 and

symptomatic students and staff are expected to follow the advice and obtain a

test for COVID-19.

Where a student or staff member gets a negative result, it is still important to

apply caution. If everyone with symptoms in their household who was tested

receive a negative result, the student or staff member can return to work

providing they are well enough and have not had a fever for 48 hours.

Anyone who tests positive will be contacted by the Contact Tracing Service in

the Public Health Agency and will need to share information about their recent

interactions. This could include household members, people with whom you

have been in direct contact with for less than 2 metres for more than 15

minutes. Passing in corridors and short periods of contact does not therefore

present a significant risk to staff or pupils. All household members would

follow PHA isolation guidance which currently requires everyone in the house

to stay at home.

Students over 18 years of age and staff are encouraged to download the free

StopCovid NI Proximity App, released in July 2020. PHA guidance under the

Test and Trace and Protect programme will be applied for all staff and

students in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Test and

Trace staff will contact anyone with a positive test and trace their contacts

over the previous 48 hours seeking information on where that individual has

been in contact with someone for 15 minutes or more and less than 2 metres

social distance. Isolation guidance will then be provided that is context

specific and may result in friendship groups, regular contacts and potentially

an entire class or bubble Year group being instructed to self-isolate at home.

The Guidance is as follows:

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If you have symptoms of coronavirus or a positive test, you will need to

stay at home for at least 10 days.

If you live with someone who has symptoms or a positive test, you will

need to stay at home for 14 days from the first day the first person in

the home started having symptoms.

However, if you develop symptoms during this 14 day period, you will

need to self-check in accordance with the Test and Trace guidance

and stay at home for 10 days from the day your symptoms started

(regardless of what day you are on in the original 14 day period).

10 days after your symptoms started, if you do not have a high

temperature, you do not need to self-isolate. If you still have a high

temperature keep self-isolating until your temperature is normal. You

do not need to self-isolate if you just have a cough after 10 days, as a

cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

If you have symptoms and live with someone who is over 70 or over,

has long term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune

system, try to find somewhere else you can stay for the 14-day

isolation period.

It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or

be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the

overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the

community.

Please note this may be subject to change in line with PHA and DENI Guidance. Mrs Amanda McNamee 19 August 2020