Byers Green Primary School

Byres Green Primary School

Group A Strep advice

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Please see the information below from Durham County Council and the Health Protection Team:

The latest data from UKHSA shows that scarlet fever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year. Currently, there is no evidence that a new strain is circulating. The increase is most likely related to high amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing. It is therefore advisable to be alert for symptoms and seek medical advice accordingly.

Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious. Look out for symptoms in children, which include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect a child has scarlet fever. (See our advice to parents below).

Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.

If a child has scarlet fever, they should stay home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called group A streptococci. These bacteria also cause other respiratory and skin infections such as Strep throat and impetigo.

In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep. Whilst still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive Group A strep cases this year, particularly in children under 10.

Our advice to parents:

There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.

As a parent or carer, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 if or your GP if:

  • your child is getting worse
  • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
  • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
  • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
  • your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up, or spreading, infections.

Schools leaflet -winter illnesses

Changes to 2023 KS2 SATs week schedule

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The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has confirmed changes to the 2023 key stage two (KS2) tests schedule in England, due to the additional bank holiday set to take place on Monday 8 May 2023, in honour of the King’s coronation.

Ministers have decided that KS2 tests will take place in the same week, with tests following the usual order but each taking place one day later than originally planned. As such, the new schedule will be as follows:

  • Tuesday 9 May 2023: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) papers 1 (questions) and 2 (spelling)
  • Wednesday 10 May 2023: English reading paper
  • Thursday 11 May 2023: mathematics papers 1 (arithmetic) and 2 (reasoning)
  • Friday 12 May 2023: mathematics paper 3 (reasoning)

Poppy Appeal 2022

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Thank you for your contributions to this year’s Poppy Appeal. The total raised was £122.10.

Children in Need 2022

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Tomorrow (Friday 18 November) is Children in Need day. As Friday is PE day for some of our classes, we will not be asking the children to dress up because some of them will need to be in their PE kits. However, all children are welcome to wear any Children in Need accessories they may have.

We are aware of the strain on household budgets at the current time and we will, therefore, not be asking the children to bring a donation into school.

If you wish to donate, please follow the link below to the Children in Need donation page:

https://donate.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/

Free half-term swimming sessions

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Please see the information below from Durham County Council:

Free swimming is once again available in the October Half Term and further information is available here: https://www.durham.gov.uk/freeswimming

Ahead of the school holidays, we want to remind everyone about good hygiene at our swimming pools and leisure venues. Please make sure you wash your hands and shower before using our pools. If you have been unwell, particularly with a tummy bug, please don’t use the pool for at least 48 hours. If you have been diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis you should not use swimming pools for 14 days after symptoms have resolved.