Arnold House School

To all Arnold House parents
(It is recommended that you print off a copy of this web page)

How the virus is spread

Knowing how a virus spreads allows us to control its spread:
• The virus that causes Swine Flu is spread through droplets that come out of the nose and mouth of a person carrying the virus when they cough or sneeze
• If you cough or sneeze without covering your nose or mouth with a tissue, those droplets spread and other people will be at risk of breathing them in
• If you cough or sneeze into your hand, these droplets and the germs in them are easily spread from your hand to any surfaces you may touch, living on the surfaces for some time
• Items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile phones, ordinary phones and TV remote controls are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found
• If other people touch these surfaces and then touch the area around their nose and mouth, they could become infected

The possible symptoms

These could include some or all of the following, depending on the severity of the virus:
• Sudden onset of fever
• Coughing or shortness of breath
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Tiredness
• Aching muscles
• Runny nose
• Chills
• Sneezing
• Loss of appetite

The advice of the Government is that anyone displaying a combination of these symptoms should not go to work or to school

General preventative measures

Understanding how the virus spreads allows us to take some common sense precautions:
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue
• If you do not have a tissue, it may be better to sneeze into the corner of your arm rather directly onto your hand
• Carry tissues with you at all times
• Dispose of the tissues in a bin quickly and carefully
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water

Extra measures at Arnold House

During the current situation, the School will take the following additional precautions:
• More boxes of tissues will be placed within the classrooms
• Surfaces and doorknobs will be disinfected daily
• Bins will be emptied twice a day

We ask parents who suspect that their son or member of their family may be ill:
• To inform the School at once (email the Deputy Headmaster jhill@arnoldhouse.co.uk)
• To keep their son at home
• To call their GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647)

More information

These links give more information on understanding and dealing with Swine Flu:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/13534/SwineFluLeaflet.pdf
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/13528/informationforparents.pdf

How we will communicate to parents

The website will be the first means of communication to parents:
• The front page will be used for urgent communication
• Other information and updates will be on the “Swine Flu” link on the front page
• Email will also be used at times to disseminate information and advice

In order for us to communicate efficiently with parents please ensure that the School Office is made aware of any recent changes to your contact details: email address and mobile phone number

Arnold House’s Contingency Plan

Currently, all advice is that the School should remain open and that the current virus is in fact of a mild variety. However if the situation escalates the School has a Contingency Plan to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

• If advised by the health authorities the School will close
• We will aim to give as much notice as possible, via the website and/or email
• We hope however to ensure your sons’ education suffers as little as possible
• Arnold House is fortunate in having a Drop Box system on the website: this allows staff and pupils to communicate and to upload and download work much more effectively than by using email
• Provision will be made for your sons to work from home (“Distance Learning”) with tasks and assignments appropriate for their age
• Arnold House teachers will be in work, such as circumstances allow, to monitor the work they have set your sons

Conclusion

It is important that we keep a sense of proportional concern, calm and normality. This will be for the benefit of all the boys in our care and set a responsible example to the wider community.

Any particular questions can be directed to the Deputy Headmaster:
jhill@arnoldhouse.co.uk

Vivian Thomas
Headmaster