Vranch House

Date added: Friday 13th March 2020
Latest updated: Thursday 23rd February 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Coronavirus (Covid - 19) - UPDATE

As I am sure you are aware, in the last 24hrs, the Government has updated its view on the spread of the Coronavirus and has decided to move from the ‘Contain' phase of the response plan to ‘Delay'.   This Delay phase may see the postponement of sporting events and other public gatherings, but at this time the Prime Minister's scientific and health advisors have said that "...closing schools at this early point would do more harm than good."

Vranch House have taken the following steps to further reduce the risk of infection and protect our pupils:

• With immediate effect, we have ceased all non-clinical use of our Hydrotherapy pool by outside groups and limited the use of this facility by outpatients to only the most acute cases of physical need
• As of Monday 16^th March, we will be ‘zoning' the school building to limit the interaction between outpatients and the pupils. Outpatient movements will be restricted to the front of the school and pupils will not be able to access this area outside of arrival/departure at the start and end of the school day
• We have directed any Vranch House staff who display any of the early warning signs of the Coronavirus to self-isolate and not come into work
• We have put contingencies into place should any of our Nurse staff become unable to attend their duties due to this virus

In the event of a suspected case of Coronavirus being reported by a parent or carer, or partner agency working within Vranch House, we will continue to promote the guidelines from Public Health England:

• Self-isolate in their own home to stop the potential spread of infection.
• Call the NHS helpline on 111 to report their concerns and follow the directions of the NHS call operative.

The Management Team at Vranch House will then inform Public Health England, and the Public Health Officer for Devon, and follow their advice regarding further measures that may be necessary to take within the school. 

Finally, can I reiterate that, at present, there are no plans by the DfE, Devon County Council or Public Health England to close schools in response to the present level of threat posed by Coronavirus in Devon. Vranch House will not be closing unless otherwise directed to do so by the Public Health Officer for Devon or the DfE.

Thank you in advance for your continued calm and pro-active support in helping us to maintain support and care for our young people and their families.

Yours faithfully

Ian Norton

Head of Education