MGrid - Middlesbrough Education Grid for Learning

17 September 2009

The following link takes you to a document produced by the Health Protection Agency. The purpose of this document is to provide public health advice and resources for schools and early years settings that will help to reduce the spread of the swine flu (pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza) strain among pupils and staff during the 2009-2010 school year.

• Guidance and resources for schools, early years and other educational settings

04 September 2009

FAO Headteachers - advice on recording absence

Although the number of instances of 'swine flu' have dropped over the summer holidays, a number of you have been in touch with CFL regarding what code to use in registers in high cases of absence due to swine flu. Advice regarding this issue can be found below:

• The recording of absence is down to the discretion of headteachers
• If a parent informs that a child is absent because of swine flu it is advised that the register should be marked 'I' (Illness) for the period of the absence.
• If it has become necessary to close part of the school due to staff absence then it is advised that the 'Y' code should be used.
• If a doctor has advised that a child who is not actually ill, but may be at serious risk if they contract swine flu, should not attend school then the 'C' code (Other authorised circumstances) should be used.
• If school feels that swine flu is being used as an excuse for absence, when the child is not ill , then it is advised that the register should be marked 'O' (unauthorised absence). It was stressed in a conversation with the National Strategy Attendance Lead that in considering allocating the 'O' (unauthorised absence) code we need to exercise some caution/common sense around the individual circumstances of the child involved. This is because of the potential fallout if the school/LA is seen to be demanding attendance in a school that has confirmed cases and then a child who contracts swine flu actually dies.
• If it can be proved that children not attending school are using an IT based distance learning package (i.e. if school can verify that they are on-line doing work) then a 'B' code (educated off site) can be used.

The National Strategies and a number of LA's, including ourselves, have been lobbying the DCSF to set up a special code for recording swine flu but this has been unsuccessful thus far. If any of you are concerned about the impact on your attendance figures then it may just be worthwhile, if possible, keeping your own unofficial record of the impact that 'swine flu is having.

Teachernet is the best source for news and the advice around swine flu is being updated on a regular basis.

02 September 2009

View the Local Authority weekly email dated 27 August 2009, which contains useful information on swine flu:

• LA Email 27 August 2009

The following document is a letter sent out to Nursery and School Head Teachers and includes an update on swine flu:

• Letter-for-School-Head-or-Nursery-Manager.pdf (72k)

25 August 2009

The fifth edition of the stakeholders Swine Flu Briefing dated 21/08/09:

• Stakeholder Swine Flu Briefing Edition 5 21 08 09.pdf (82 K)
  

23 July 2009

The National Flu Line Service is now available. There are two numbers:

1. For information about symptoms or to see if you need antiviral treatment, call 0800 1 513 513
2. For treatment (obtain URN to be able to collect anti virals), call 0800 1 513 100. There is also a website address at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

If patients do not have a "Flu Friend" who can collect their anti virals for them, they will be advised to contact their local PCT.

21 July 2009

H1N1 (swine) flu is now widespread within the community. This means that all schools/nurseries will have cases of staff and pupils diagnosed as swine flu over the next few months. The following document includes questions and answers that are intended to answer common enquiries. As the national swine flu pandemic progresses, the advice to schools/nurseries may evolve and change – this advice is current from 16 July 2009.

• 59-Key-Messages-for-Schools-and-Nurseries-16-7-09.pdf (45 K)

17 July 2009

SMT recently decided to obtain some face masks for staff who have unavoidable contact with the most vulnerable children eg those with physical disabilites in residential accommodation. Further guidance on this, including which teams will be given a supply of masks, will be issued once we have them.

Useful Documents

• Business Guidance.pdf (530 K)
  
• Guidance on the appropriate use of a face mask General.doc (43 K)
  
• Workplace Guidance 16 July 2009.doc (51 K)
  

16 July 2009

Useful Link - The HPA website provides a range of information and advice about Swine Influenza (influenza A H1N1v).

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665?p=1240732817665

08 July 2009

The North East Flu Response Centre is receiving many queries about cases and suspected outbreaks of swine flu in schools. The following points and attached letter are intended to clarify the current approach to swine flu and schools following the change to treatment only announced by the Secretary of State last week.

Cases that are now being reported are "clinically diagnosed" and should not be referred to as "confirmed" cases. Children are no longer being tested for swine flu, the diagnosis is made by their GPs.

• Any child who is unwell with flu-like symptoms should stay off school and should be seen by their GP; they will be offered antiviral medication if they are thought to have flu. Children should stay off school until they have completed the antiviral medication / symptoms have resolved.
• Children in the same household as a clinical case do not need to stay off school if they are well; but a close eye should be kept on them and they should be sent home if they become unwell
• The same applies to teachers; if they are unwell, they should stay off school until they have recovered / completed antivirals; if a member of the teacher's household is unwell there is no need for the teacher to stay off if they are well
• If there are vulnerable children / children with complex health needs the Flu Response Centre is happy to assess on case-by-case basis with the school
• Current policy is that there is no antiviral prophylaxis for contacts and no school closures
• Generic letter for parents available from communications departments and attached to this email
• There are no special measures that pregnant staff need to take when there has been a case in a school but anyone who is pregnant and develops flu-like symptoms should let their GP know promptly
• If any school has unusually high levels of absence or illness with flu-like symptoms before schools break up for the summer holidays, please contact the Flu Response Centre (0845 4251759) for further advice.

Download the draft letter to be sent out to parents/carers (Word Doc, 36 kb)

06 July 2009

The document below contains notes from the Tees Operational Flu Leads Meeting on 2nd July 2009

• Tees-Operational-Flu-Leads-Meeting-Notes.pdf (24 kb)

Planning for a human influenza pandemic within schools

PowerPoint slides titled "Planning for a human influenza pandemic within schools" are available on the learning platform.

To access these slides click on Pandemic Flu Planning In Schools under Middlesbrough Channels.