Planning for a Human Influenza Pandemic (30th Apr '09)
Clifton Hall School
Planning for a Human Influenza Pandemic
Background and Context
The WHO constantly monitors the various flu-type viruses that emerge each year and categorises the development of each within six defined phases, with particular concern where there is evidence that a virus that emanated in animals or birds has become adapted to humans. The Headmaster will routinely monitor the WHO categorisation of virus developments and advise the SMT of unusual or worrying developments. Advice will also be issued through SCIS.
Planning Assumptions
Advice to all sectors is that they should seek to continue operating as normally as possible during a pandemic, but should plan for much higher than usual levels of staff absence and the consequences as well as for other possible disruption resulting from the pandemic's impact on other services. However, schools are potentially different from other settings. Children are highly efficient "spreaders" of respiratory infections, amongst themselves and to adults. Once the nature of any future pandemic is detected, the Government may advise schools to close for a stated period. Our response to any pandemic should cover both closure and the school remaining open.
The School's Response
The Bursar and the Director of Studies will be responsible to the Headmaster for co-ordinating the school's response, which will be graduated according to what may be a quickly changing scenario. Unless directed to close, the aim will be to conduct business as normal within the following:
• The school does not have the facilities to treat those suffering from influenza.
• Staff feeling unwell or displaying symptoms such as a high temperature will be sent home immediately.
• Similarly, pupils will be referred to a designated area where they will remain until collected at the first opportunity by their parent(s) or guardian. The school must retain an up-to-date list of parent/guardian contact details.
• Pupils and staff deemed to be at high risk due to pre-existing conditions should be advised to stay at home for all or part of any pandemic.
• The Scottish Government, through the local authority, will advise on any mandatory closure of the school when pupils and staff would be sent home with the school reverting to its normal security for periods of closure.
• Should local conditions, such as insufficient staff to ensure the proper supervision of pupils occur, the Headmaster will inform the Chairman of Governors accordingly and order closure.
• The Director of Studies will manage academic staff absences on a daily ad hoc basis making best use of available staff.
• In the event of school closure, in consultation with academic staff, the SMT will consider what arrangements could be made to continue educating pupils by the use of e-mails, remote tutorials/work-setting. Within this, priority would be given to pupils approaching external examinations.
Infection Control
As a matter of course pupils and staff should minimise potential virus transmission through good hygiene measures as follows:
• By covering the nose and mouth with single-use disposable tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing noses.
• By disposing of used tissues in the nearest waste bin.
• By keeping hands away from the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose.
• By washing hands regularly throughout the school day, particularly before handling food.
Cleaning and Waste Disposal
General
Cleaning Staff take the following measures to improve general hygiene as a matter of course:
• All hard surfaces in kitchens, door handles, telephone headsets, toilet seats and flushes are wiped over with an approved, chlorine based anti-septic solution on a daily basis.
• Waste bins are emptied on a daily basis with the contents being sealed in plastic bags prior to disposal.
Pandemic
• If and when instructed by the Bursar, all cleaning staff will be issued with medicated facemasks and latex gloves, which will be worn when employed on cleaning duties.
• The school Estates’ Manager is to ensure that receptacles containing sealable plastic bags are deployed around the school for the collection of used paper tissues.
• They are to be emptied on a daily basis and disposed of in sealed plastic bags: If practical, they should be burnt.
Communication
The Headmaster along with the SMT will be responsible for ensuring that the following is put in place:
• A letter informing parents of school policy and procedures if flu pandemic reaches the UK will be issued.
• Information will also be given to staff and governors.
• The school website will be used to share information.
• Contact details of all parents/guardians will be updated.
WHO Phase 5 Declared
If WHO and the Scottish Government declare a Phase 5 Pandemic the following additional measures will be taken:
Education
• Staff planning and resourcing for distance learning will take place.
• No school fixtures/trips to be allowed.
WHO Phase 6 Declared
School policy will be to continue to teach until such time as the first case of suspected pandemic flu is in school or we are instructed by the local health authority to close the school. If pandemic flu is diagnosed the school will act on advice from the local health authority but it is likely that it will close and that teaching will be suspended until advised by the local health authority.
Communication
The Headmaster with the SMT will be responsible for ensuring that the following measures are put in place:
• The SMT will meet as agreed to be updated on the school and the local situation.
• Arrangements will be made to man phone lines and post messages on the relevant area of the school website.
• Staff will be kept informed as appropriate.
• School suppliers will be contacted and deliveries postponed.
Education
• Will continue as normal until the first case of flu is diagnosed in school.
• Distance learning procedures will be enacted for all year groups if feasible.
• Staff will provide support from home if possible.
In the event of an outbreak occurring during a school holiday the SMT will meet to discuss the school's policy in light of national advice and instruction.
In the event of an outbreak occurring during the period for external examinations the school will follow the policy and instruction provided by the SQA.
Post-Pandemic
Depending on the severity and outcome of the pandemic the management team will meet to take appropriate measures to discuss:
• Strategic planning for the recovery of lost learning time and subsequent management of this.
• Recuperation, including possible cancellation of fixtures and trips until the management team is clear that the school community has caught up with any potential lost education.
• School reopening will be communicated by the school website and e-mail.
• SMT will coordinate counselling and other services if required.
• Planning will be reviewed.
Conclusion
It is difficult to determine in advance the likely consequences for the school in the event of a major pandemic. The school should continue to function unless instructed to close or in the event of local conditions making continuation impossible or unsafe. Flexibility would be required by all staff, with due emphasis at all levels being given to minimising the risk through good and responsible personal and general hygiene.
Golf venue puts children on course (30th Dec '08)
By GEMMA FRASER, Edinburgh Evening News
A UNIQUE golf course designed specifically for children is set to be created in the Capital to encourage take-up of the sport amongst young people.
The "fun and inspiring" course, to be set within the grounds of Clifton Hall School in Newbridge, is said to be the first of its kind in the UK to incorporate all the different elements.
The elements featured consist of a short game area, fun area
and putting green, as well as a mini golf course and target area.
A "fairground" driving range with a number of different and colourful targets designed to appeal to children of all ages is also included in the plans.
The course – designed by professional course architect Ronnie Lumsden – will be set in seven acres within the school grounds and will be open to the public and schools as a free community facility.
The school has teamed up with Mr Lumsden and head golf professional at the championship Dalmahoy course, Scott Dixon, to progress the plans.
They have yet to secure funding but plan to target local businesses and the Scottish Government, which has its own drive to encourage young people to get involved in the sport in time for Scotland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2014.
They are also in talks with clubgolf, the body representing junior golf in Scotland, over how to progress their plans.
Mr Dixon already coaches children at Clifton Hall every Friday and will continue to coach when the new course gets up and running.
He said: "We have come up with the ultimate facility for children.
"It's going to be an area that impresses and motivates so that we can encourage more children to get involved in golf.
"The whole course will be totally for kids, with bright, fun targets.
"It's something that's unique, that's never been done before and that's totally there for the kids.
"Golf has in the past had strict rules and guidelines but this will be the ultimate learning environment for children taking up golf.
"We want to get Scottish golf back on the world map."
Clifton Hall's headmaster Rod Grant is excited to be able to offer this course at his school.
He said: "This is a community golf project unlike anything else in the UK.
"We want it to be open to all children under the age of 16 for free, with automatic access regardless of money.
"What we are trying to do is get kids involved in golf, loving the game, understanding the etiquette and most importantly, enjoying the game.
"Although it will be on Clifton Hall's land, we are throwing the facility open to the community.
"This will be the only golf course where an adult has to be accompanied by a child instead of the other way around."
Clifton Hall School has recently invested £2.5 million into a series of improvements and refurbishments to coincide with its recent merger with St Serf's School.
The amalgamation has doubled the school roll at Clifton Hall to around 230 pupils, meaning that for the first time in its 80-year history, it can cater for youngsters aged three to 18.
