CoVID-19 Updates

We will be using this page to provide you with information and regular updates on the COVID-19 situation.  

Please also refer to the Alert page where we will post updates if and when they happen. 

COVID-19 School Closure Arrangements for Safeguarding and Child Protection

From 20th March 2020, parents were asked to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and for schools to remain open only for those children of workers critical to the COVID-19 response - who absolutely need to attend.

School and all childcare providers were asked to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable, and children whose parents are critical to the COVID-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Click here to read the amendment to the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which contains the adjustments the school is making to operational practice and safeguarding practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document will be kept under review and amended if further guidance is issued by the Government.  

Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Advice

PHE have publish COVID-19 advice and updates. They can be found here.

The NHS also publish their advice and this can be accessed via this link. 

Support for Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Speaking to your child

We know that many children will have concerns during this time and so we have attached a simple cartoon that you may wish to share with them in order to help them understand what is currently happening - COVID-19 Cartoon Story.

Nosy Crow have also published an illustrated question-and-answer book about the coronavirus, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.  

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What's going to happen next? 

Click here to open a pdf. version of the book.  

Please still explain the significance of the virus and the importance of washing hands for at least 20 seconds, as well as keeping a safe distance from others.

Parental Support

You may also wish to look at the following Parent Support Guide which offers further advice and support during this time - COVID-19 Parenting Support

During the school closure, children are likely to be spending even more time than usual online - either to do work set by the school or to socialise.  It is therefore, even more important that they are mindful of the need to stay safe online. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has suggested that parents might find the following resources and links useful to help them keep their child safe online:

• Internet Matters 
• London Grid for Learning
• Net Aware
• Parent Info
• Thinkuknow
• CEOP
• UK Safer Internet Centre

If you are worried about your child's safety or well-being, please contact the school by email on office@johnburns.wandsworth.sch.uk

Social Media

We also know that many of your will be using social media and apps to communicate with friends and family during this time. Whilst these applications are essential in order to communicate with those that we know, unfortunately they can pose risks. Here we have attached a parents guide from National Online Safety regarding a popular app called 'House Party'. We hope that you find this useful - NOS-Houseparty-App

Risk of Fraud

The following information has been sourced from the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) - Information: increased fraud risk during COVID-19 pandemic.

Periods of instability, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, bring an increased risk of fraud. Fraudsters will actively exploit these difficult times and will target vulnerable areas for financial gain.   

ActionFraud reported a 400% increase in reports of COVID-19 related fraud in March 2020. The reported frauds are varied and include:

• charity fraud
• online shopping fraud
• phishing emails

Further information is available on the ActionFraud website. 

Video Message from Class Teachers  

Message to Children  

Do not forget there are other people you can contact if you need to talk:

• Childline - 0800 1111
• Samaritans - 116 123
• Hopeline - 0800 068 4141
• NSPCC - 0808 800 5000 and www.nspcc.org.uk or help@nspcc.org.uk
• Wandsworth CAMHS - 0203 513 3800 and ssg-tr.wandsworthCAMHSreferral@nhs.net
• Off The Record: www.talkofftherecordonline.org 
• Kooth: www.kooth.com
• Mind: www.mind.org.uk 
• Young Minds:  www.youngminds.org.uk