COVID-19 Student Absence Guide
A quick reference guide for parents and staff (Jan 2021).
What to do if…
Symptoms
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My child has COVID-19 symptoms
My child has COVID-19 symptoms
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Self-isolate the whole household and get a test
- Inform the college immediately about the test result
Return to College when… the test comes back negative or a period of 10 days has passed since the symptoms started, and the child feels well.
-
Someone in my household has COVID-19 symptoms
Someone in my household has COVID-19 symptoms
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Self-isolate the whole household, and get household member tested.
- Inform college immediately about their test result
Return to College when… the test comes back negative.
-
My child is ill with symptoms not linked to COVID-19
My child is ill with symptoms not linked to COVID-19
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Ring on each day of illness
Return to College when… 48 hours has passed following the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea
Tests
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My child tests positive for COVID-19
My child tests positive for COVID-19
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 10 days)
- Self-isolate the whole household
Return to College when… 10 days have passed since symptoms began AND they feel well, even if they still have a cough or loss of taste/smell (symptoms can last for several weeks)
-
My child tests negative for COVID-19
My child tests negative for COVID-19
Action Needed:
- Contact college to inform us
- Discuss when your child can come back (same day/next day)
Return to College when… the test comes back negative.
-
Someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19
Someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 10 days)
- Self-isolate the whole household
Return to College when… the child has completed 10 days of isolation.
-
I am unable to get a test for someone in the household who has symptoms
I am unable to get a test for someone in the household who has symptoms
Action Needed:
- If you are not able to get a test in the first 5 days of having symptoms, your child and anyone they live with must stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days.
- Anyone in your support bubble must also stay at home.
Return to College when… the child has completed 10 days of isolation
Bubbles
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My child’s bubble is closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in college
My child’s bubble is closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in college
Action Needed:
- Child must not come to college
- Support your child at home with remote education provided by college
- Your child will need to self-isolate for 10 days
- Other siblings may continue to attend school / college
Return to College when… college inform you that the bubble will be reopened.
-
A sibling attending another school / college has been sent home to self-isolate due to their being a positive case in their school / college
A sibling attending another school / college has been sent home to self-isolate due to their being a positive case in their school / college
Action Needed:
- Sibling must self-isolate for 10 days
- Homefield students can continue to attend
Return to College immediately.
NHS Test & Trace
-
NHS test and trace has identified my child as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed COVID-19
NHS test and trace has identified my child as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed COVID-19
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 10 days)
Return to College when… the child has completed 10 days of isolation.
-
NHS test and trace has identified a household member (other than my child) as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed COVID-19
NHS test and trace has identified a household member (other than my child) as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed COVID-19
Action Needed:
- The household member must self-isolate for 10 days
- Child can continue to attend college
Return to College immediately.
Shielding
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We have received medical advice that my child must resume shielding
We have received medical advice that my child must resume shielding
Action Needed:
- Do not come to college
- Contact college to inform us
- Shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again
Return to College when… college inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return to college again OR you receive medical advice that your child may return to college
Travel
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My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that is NOT on the exempt list of countries
My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that is NOT on the exempt list of countries
Action Needed:
If returning from a destination where quarantine is needed*:
- minimum of 10 days self-isolation for all those who travelled.
- contact college to inform us you are back in the country and we will agree an earliest date for possible return to college
- Self-isolate the whole household
*Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – for up-to-date travel information
Return to College when… the quarantine period of 10 days has been completed
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My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that IS on the exempt list of countries
My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that IS on the exempt list of countries
Action Needed:
If returning from a destination where quarantine is NOT needed:
- Check the current Exempt countries and territories list to confirm the country you have travelled from or through is on the exempt list
- Ring college to inform us you have returned to the UK and agree a return date to college
Return to College when… you have informed the office of your return to the UK (the office will ask you a few questions about your travel)
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I have travelled from a country that requires us to quarantine (but my child didn’t travel)
I have travelled from a country that requires us to quarantine (but my child didn’t travel)
Action Needed:
- As long as you do not have / have not had symptoms in the last 14 days, your child can continue to attend college
- The person who has travelled MUST NOT leave the house, including to do pick-ups and drop-offs
Return to College immediately.