Hampshire schools attendance is 'consistently high' despite rise in coronavirus
The County Council says measures are in place to try and keep staff and students safe.
Last updated 10th Nov 2020
Attendance at schools in Hampshire has remained consistently high despite the increase in COVID-19 cases, according to the County Council.
Nurseries and pre-schools are also reporting that the number of children they are looking after has been steadily increasing since the beginning of term.
Councillor Roz Chadd Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills says that while some have had positive cases, the numbers are relatively low:
"Childcare and education settings have worked extremely hard to ensure their environments are COVID-19 secure - and my sincere thanks for all they have done. While a proportion have had some positive cases, and this has led to other members of their settings’ community needing to self-isolate, the numbers are relatively low.
“To maintain this stability, and to #KeepHampshireSafe, it is vitally important that we all continue to follow the new national guidance to continue social distancing, minimise social contact and avoid mixing with other households, as well as regular handwashing.
"As a mum of school age children myself, I know how tempting it is to stop outside the school gates and gather for a catch-up with other parents but, in doing so, we all need to be vigilant in making sure we stay two metres apart with anyone outside our household or support bubble.
“We all want to see this period of enhanced national restrictions come to an end on 2 December – so please stick to the rules, and together we can get back to the freedoms enjoyed during the summer and early autumn months.”
Parents and carers are asked not to send their children to school if they have any of the most common symptoms of COVID-19:
-High temperature
-New and continuous cough
-Loss or change to sense of smell or taste
If a child has one of those symptoms they should be tested and then kept at home until the test result is confirmed.
Children should only return to school if the result is negative or, when it is positive, after they have completed their period of isolation and are completely well.