Reddish Vale Technology College

Rationale

This policy has been written in response to the real risk of flu pandemic. The school is mindful of the need to ensure it is in a position to respond to any such event. The policy considers current actions that can be taken to reduce the spread of pandemic flu, and how to manage staff and pupils in the event of a flu pandemic. It has a particular focus on Business Continuity.

Current government guidance is that people should try to continue their everyday (essential) activities as normally as possible during a pandemic, while taking personal responsibility for self-protection and social responsibility to lessen the spread of the virus

Every effort will be made to keep the school operating normally.

We are currently at Level 6 World Health Organisation (WHO) alert which level indicates that swine flu is at a global pandemic. This was declared in the UK week commencing 14.6.09.

We have moved from a period of isolation where individuals with swine flu are isolated and those in close contact are given anti viral drugs to a period of management. In this period those individuals diagnosed with swine flu are treated with a 5 day course of anti virals, and there are unlikely to be school closures, in full or in part.

We have been advised that the pandemic may come in two or more waves several months apart and this may affect the school in the Autumn / Spring Term 2009/ 10 . Each wave may last two to three months.

Preventing the Spread of Swine Flu

Staff and pupils are encouraged to note the following general advice, which can help prevent the spread of flu.

CATCH IT: Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and use a tissue.
BIN IT: Dispose of dirty tissues and bin them immediately.
KILL IT: Maintain good basic hygiene e.g. wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
A short video clip of this from NHS Choices is available on:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemicflu/pages,prevention.asp

Current management of individuals with swine flu

Any pupil or staff who has flu-like symptoms should stay at home and phone either their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. They should not go to their GP or Accident and Emergency.

• At home they should rest.
• Take medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms, children under 16 should not be given aspirin or flu remedies containing aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids

Staff and parents should inform the school if a diagnosis of Swine flu has been made. If they are diagnosed with Swine Flu they may be given antivirals - this will be decided by their doctor. This course of treatment is for five days, however, pupils and staff should not return to school until 2 days after all the symptoms have been cleared.

Staff who show signs of infection whilst in the school should be sent home. Where pupils show signs of infection they should be reassured and their parents/carers should be informed immediately and asked to collect their child(ren). If possible pupils should be isolated from the remainder of their class whilst waiting to be collected.

The school will follow its current policy re staff absence and compassionate leave to care for family members who are sick.

Current advice is that if a pupil or member of staff have no flu like symptoms and are well they should come into school as normal even if a member of their family is diagnosed with Swine flu.

There are a number of groups who are the higher risk groups for swine flu

• people with chronic lung disease including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years
• people with chronic heart disease
• people with chronic kidney disease
• people with chronic liver disease
• people with chronic neurological disease
• people with suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
• people with diabetes
• pregnant women
• children under five years

There is no advice at present that such staff should not be in schools. However individual staff should be advised that if they develop any flu like symptoms they should contact their GP immediately for any advice.

General public health measures affecting the school during a pandemic

The school will be provided with the best advice given to meet the needs of its community, accepting that the school cannot operate in isolation to public health measures. Schools will have direct contact with Dr. Baxter and colleagues in SMBC

School Closure

At present the swine flu virus is spreading in the community, and therefore this school will not be required to close to halt the spread of infection. However depending on the nature subsequent waves of flu pandemic there may be times in the future when the school will follow medical and public health advice and close the school

In addition the Headteacher and Chair of Governors may have to make a decision to close for example if the school has too few staff to operate safely. It is expected that this will be only for a short period of time and will be done in consultation with SMBC. In making the decision we will consider

• How many teaching / non teaching staff do we need to ensure that children are safe and the curriculum can be delivered
• How will each class be organised
• Which staff, who work part time may be prepared to do extra hours
• Are there any agency / supply staff who may be able to assist
• Are there any governors / parents who are CRB checked and may be able to assist in an emergency
• Have we got all our telephone contact detail up dated
• Which non teaching staff can help

If the school has to CLOSE then this will be communicated to students and staff first, and then to parents as soon as possible thereafter. The school may close for students but still be open for staff. In the first instance the school would close for one week.

If the school is closed for pupils then it does not have the general duty of care, which it normally has when the school is open in session. Parents will then be responsible for the safety and care of their children.

Re-opening of the school following closure

The school’s website will display information which will cover the arrangements for the re-opening of the school following closure. Such decisions will be based on the ability of the school to respond to the advice provided. Remaining open or re-opening of the school will not necessarily be the same for pupils and staff.

Any conditions to be attached to re-opening, or any specific measures to be taken would be communicated at that time.

Communication

The school will

• keep updated on the pandemic by reviewing all information on Office on line and other communications from SMBC.
• Use the school's website and other appropriate means to inform parents, so that advice is prompt and easily accessible, including arrangements for any exam candidates
• Publicise appropriate information and ensure reminders with regard to personal hygiene are on display and announced to pupils
• Ensure its pupils home/ emergency contacts are updated.
• If the school closes the school’s website will display regular updates on the current status of the pandemic and arrangements to allow pupils to be able to continue with their academic work.
• Contact will be established with the SMBC press department to support the school in any press related enquiries and also to help the school publicise detail of re-opening times and dates.

The School Environment

• Check sufficient stocks of cleaning products e.g. tissues, soaps and detergents are available for use.
• SK Solutions have been asked to increase cleaning programmes during the period of a Pandemic.
• Cleaning support staff will pay particular attention to surfaces that may help spread a virus, such as desk/worktops/ door handles, PC units/keyboards etc. We are advised to follow the national NHS/HPA algorithms in respect of ensuring that hard surfaces (door handles, light switches, taps and kitchen worktops) are cleaned more regularly than usual, using normal cleaning products.