If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in your child’s school, the school will be supported   to identify all those who have been in close contact with the person with confirmed COVID-19, as they may be at risk of being infected. All those children, young people and staff identified to be at risk, will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days since last in contact with the infected person. Even if children, young people and staff get tested negative within the isolation period, isolation still needs to continue, as they may become infectious and/or ill at any time during that period.

Every scenario is different and that’s why sometimes only a few children are sent home, sometimes it is the whole support bubble and sometimes the whole year or even school, in special circumstances. These decisions are based on detailed risk-assessments carried out by school and supported by public health professionals. We always strive to minimise risks and exclude only those students who are at-risk.

If your child is asked to self-isolate, your school will inform you immediately and provide you with a letter with further advice. The length of time that your child needs to self-isolate for will be explained in the letter. Unless your child develops COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, the rest of your household will not need to self-isolate (unless there is another reason for your household to self-isolate e.g. another household member with symptoms).

Please note that your school has been given the authority to advise your child to self-isolate by the London Coronavirus Response Cell, which is part of the Test and Trace service, so you must follow the guidance in the letter they provide, even if NHS Test and Trace does not contact you directly.