Thursday 3^rd September 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately a member of our Support Staff has been contacted by the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect Service to inform them that they have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the school were informed they have been coordinating the response to this unanticipated event and have taken the following steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff;

• Liaison with National Health Protection Cell of Public Health Wales to investigate and manage this isolated incident of coronavirus in the school
• Liaison with Corporate Cleaning to provide additionally enhanced cleaning regimes including the use of an aerosol-cleaning machine
• Communication of advice and guidance to all staff including advising 17 staff from one geographical zone to self-isolate for a period of 14 days

As a result Public Health Wales have advised that the school environment is now safe for learners to return.

Unfortunately however this change will mean that our Key Stage 4 (KS4) department are unable to return to school as planned from Monday 7^th September; the reintegration of pupils in the KS4 department will now begin from Monday 21^st September with blended learning and virtual lessons offered during the period 7^th to 18^th September. Staff will be in touch over the next few days to share further information and plans with learners and their families who are directly affected by this change.

We recognise that this information may present additional levels of concern to members of the school community who may already be finding this transition period to full school reopening challenging and unsettling, and would encourage you to reach out and seek support if you or your child are finding things difficult by contacting the school on 01656 815595 or through your regular school contact.

We appreciate the concern that this may cause and can assure you that we have worked alongside colleagues with the Local Authority and Public Health Wales to ensure that the environment at Ysgol Bryn Castell remains as safe as possible for your child during these challenging times. We share your disappointment that we are unable to welcome all our pupils back to school from Monday 7^th September and look forward to a point in the future when we are able to do so.

Thank you for your continued support

Mrs Helen Ridout