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Flu Pandemic Parental Information - Planning for a Potential Human Influenza Pandemic
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently indicated that a flu pandemic is extremely likely to occur in the UK, but it cannot predict exactly when or where it will happen. Although there is no immediate risk we feel it is important, as an organisation responsible for the education and welfare of your daughter, to inform you about a flu pandemic and how we plan to work and communicate with you should the need arise.
All schools have been advised by the government to plan ahead to ensure they can remain open for as long as possible during a pandemic and continue to provide education to their pupils. Dame Alice Harpur School has been working closely with The Bedford Charity (The Harpur Trust) officers and the other Trust schools to develop a coherent plan that will enable us to manage a flu pandemic, should it occur, as well as possible. An extract of the plan along with Health Guidance notes that explain pandemic flu in more detail, can be found by clicking here or www.bedfordcharity.org.uk/schools.
Should I take my child out of school?
There is no immediate action you need take as there is at present no indication that a flu pandemic is imminent. Once a flu pandemic emerges and if your daughter shows any flu-like symptoms you should keep them at home, inform the school and minimise their contact with other children.
Will schools close if a pandemic occurs?
The Charity's schools will remain open, providing education, for as long as sufficient staff are available or until advised to close. Until a decision to close is made they will provide as close to normal classes and curriculum as resources permit. Every effort will be made to avoid closure. The decision to close will be made by the Chairman of the Bedford Charity on the advice of the Bedford Charity officers and the School Heads. The decision will be informed by WHO, Government, Local Authority and Primary Care Trust advice. We will advise you directly if the school has to close or if any other services e.g. school meals, are affected and any alternative arrangements that will be put in place. We will also contact you to advise when schools will re-open.
What should I do now?
Firstly, please do not be concerned as there is no imminent risk. Please help us by ensuring we have your up to date contact details including: your telephone numbers (home, work and mobile), e-mail address and full postal address. This will allow us to pass on any information and advice about a flu pandemic quickly. More importantly it will enable us to contact you quickly should your daughter fall ill while at school.
What are the schools doing now?
We have a plan in place to help us manage a pandemic flu situation. To read an extract of The Bedford Charity (The Harpur Trust) Pandemic Flu Plan please click here or visit www.bedfordcharity.org.uk/schools. We will ensure that any information or guidelines we receive from the Department of Health, the Local Authority or the Medical Officers of Schools Association (MOSA) are passed onto you and your family as appropriate.
Where can I find out more information?
You can access the advice and leaflets that the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has produced for parents and schools by logging onto www.dfes.gov.uk and then search for "flu pandemic".
Summary
The potential onset of a flu pandemic is one that we all need to take seriously. We hope this information will go some way to reassure you that not only do we have a plan in place but that your daughter's welfare will remain of paramount importance while they are in our care at school.
If you do have any questions regarding this letter or The Bedford Charity's Pandemic Flu Plan then, in the first instance, please contact Fiona McGill, Deputy Headmistress.