UPDATE FOLLOWING COBRA MEETING ON 16TH MARCH 2020

In light of the recent, ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please ensure that we are monitoring Government guidelines regularly to ensure we are following the most up-to-date advice at all times.

We have several contingency plans in place, as this is a developing situation and plans could change rapidly, depending on the advice of the Government.

As it stands, our current advice to all pupils and parents are as follows: Anyone (staff, parents or pupils) who is exhibiting any of the symptoms, which presents as a new persistent cough, difficulty breathing or a high temperature, is to stay at home for 14 days in self-isolation; Please do not go to the hospital or your doctor’s surgery; this is only required if your symptoms get worse after 7 days of self-isolation; All family members who are within the same household as someone who is self-isolating must also self-isolate, regardless of whether you have symptoms or not; The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is by washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. Please insist your children wash their hands before and after each meal, and at regular intervals throughout the day; Please use a tissue for coughs and sneezes; if a tissue is not on hand, please use your sleeve; Avoid touching your face, including your eyes and mouth, until you have washed your hands thoroughly;

 At the School, we are managing the situation with the following action plan: We have a strict cleaning policy throughout the School; There are several hand sanitising stations throughout the School; There are anti-bacterial wipes available for use throughout the School; We are discouraging handshaking and physical contact with members of the public and throughout the School; All Sports fixtures and large gatherings are being monitored on an individual basis and any events that are deemed unsuitable will be cancelled;

The following decisions have also been made, based on recent Government advice: We are minimising any non-essential social gatherings; therefore, the following events have been cancelled; The RFU Vase Final at Twickenham All sporting fixtures and tournaments All external lettings The Sixth Form Ball The Parents’ Consultation Group Any visiting speakers The NCO Dinner We will not be holding the Headmasters Assembly or Chapel services The Fifth Form Parents’ Evening on Wednesday will now be a ‘virtual’ meeting (please refer to the Parent Portal for more information) We will be closing at 3.40pm on Friday, as there will no longer be a Headmasters Assembly. All buses will depart at 3.50pm. The Lent Term will now finish on Tuesday 24th March at 4.50pm.

We do have action plans ready, should the Government deem it necessary to close schools ahead of the Easter Holidays. We have online-learning and educational resources available remotely, to minimise the effect it will have on pupils, should this eventuality be enforced. This is also available for any pupils who are currently in self-isolation.

As it stands, the School is open and operating as normal, as per the Government instructions. If you have any concerns, please do reach out to us.