Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Scarlet Fever

  Fri 16 Dec 2022 Mr Youngman

  Dear Parent / Guardian 

   

  Re: Scarlet Fever 

  We have been informed that a small number of children who attend Eastcroft Park have been  diagnosed with scarlet fever.  

  We are following UK Health Security Agency national advice for scarlet fever. This advises  that although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to  minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.  

   

  Symptoms of scarlet fever:  

  The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.  This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach,  rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash  may be harder to spot, but it should feel like 'sandpaper'. The face can be flushed red but pale  around the mouth.  

  If you think you or your child have scarlet fever:  

  • See your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible. 

  • Make sure that you/your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the  doctor. 

  • Stay at home and away from nursery, school or work for at least 24 hours after  starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.  

   

  If you/your child has an underlying condition which affects the immune system, you should  contact your GP or hospital doctor to discuss whether any additional measures are needed.  

   

  Potential complications: 

  Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop more serious infection  during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents/guardians should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and  swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.  All children with chickenpox should remain off school / nursery until at least 5 days  after the start of their rash AND until all their spots have crusted over. 

   

  Infection control advice: 

  We are following national advice on hygiene measures to help prevent spread infection within  our school / nursery. Parents/guardians can also help with this by reminding children of the  importance of coughing / sneezing into tissues and placing these in the bin, washing hands  regularly and ensuring any breaks to the skin are covered with a waterproof plaster/dressing  before attending school / nursery. 

  Further information: 

  You can find more information at: 

  - NHS Choices https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/ 

  - UKHSA Scarlet Fever Frequently Asked Questions  

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scarlet-fever-symptoms-diagnosis treatment 

  If you have any further questions, please contact the school on 0151 477 8210.

   

  Yours sincerely, 

  Miss J A Withey 

  Headteacher

  

• Group A Strep (GAS)

  Mon 12 Dec 2022 Mr Youngman

  Dear Parents/ Carers,

  As you will be aware from reports in the news, across the country we are seeing four times more Scarlet Fever cases than is usual for this time of year. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of Scarlet Fever. Please see the information below.

  What is Group A Strep (GAS)?

  Group A Strep is the name of a bacteria that most commonly causes throat infections, skin infections / Scarlet Fever. It is also able to cause more serious infections, but this does not happen very often. Signs & Symptoms of Scarlet Fever

  The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults. Scarlet Fever most commonly happens in children aged under 10 years old and it can be treated with antibiotics.

  The first symptoms of Scarlet Fever are the same as those caused by viruses that commonly cause infection at this time of year and they include: sore throat, headache, fever (may be 38.3˚C (101˚F) or higher), nausea & vomiting. At this stage of the infection Scarlet Fever is hard to diagnose unless your child had been in contact with another child who has already been diagnosed with Scarlet Fever. And not every child will get all the symptoms, some people don’t get any symptoms.

  12-48 hours after the initial symptoms a fine rash may appear first on the chest and tummy and then it spreads quickly to the rest of the body. When you feel the rash, it feels rough like sandpaper.

   

   

   

  This rash appears pink or red on white skin and may not be as obvious on someone with brown / black skin.

   

  It is common for children with Scarlet Fever to have a white coating on their tongue that peels off and then the tongue appears red and swollen. If your child’s skin is pale, they may also have red cheeks. Symptoms can also include swollen lymph glands.

   

   

   

  NHS Web-site

  When should I contact my GP / NHS 111?

  Scarlet fever is very easily spread. Check with a GP before you go in. They may suggest a phone consultation.

  • Contact your GP as soon as possible if your child has symptoms of Scarlet Fever or are feeling unwell and have been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever.
  • Let your GP know if your child does not get better in a week (after seeing a GP), are ill again, weeks after scarlet fever got better as this can be a sign of a complication, such as rheumatic fever.
  • It is also important that you let your GP know if your child gets chickenpox at the same time as Scarlet Fever

  You should also contact your GP / NHS 111 if as a parent, you feel that your child seems seriously unwell. You should trust your own judgement. Contact your GP / NHS 111 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

  If it is Scarlett Fever your GP may prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics will shorten the length of time your child is infectious (can pass the bacteria unto someone else) and can help toreduce the chance of them developing a more serious infection. Your child can return to school 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment for Scarlet Fever if they are well enough and their temperature has settled. It is important that they continue to take all their antibiotic treatment even if they start to feel better.

  When should I call 999 / go to A & E?

  • 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 o your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

   

   

  Should I let anyone else know if my child has Scarlet Fever?

   

  You can spread scarlet fever to other people up to 6 days before you get symptoms until 24 hours after you take your 1st dose of antibiotics. If you do not take antibiotics, you can spread the infection for 2 to 3 weeks after your symptoms start.

  If your child attends a baby-sitter with other children, a nursery / school it would be helpful to tell them that your child has Scarlet Fever.

  Scarlet fever is a notifiable disease in England and Wales. This means health professionals must inform local health protection teams of suspected cases.

  If me or my child is diagnosed with Scarlet Fever, what can I do to stop spreading the infection?

   

  DO	DO NOT
  Encourage them to wash their hands often with soap & water	Share  Towels,  bedding  /cups &  cutlery before washing them
  Use tissues when they cough and sneeze and bin it afterwards	Allow them to mix with other children if possible until 24 hours after they have started their antibiotics.

   

  What can I do relieve the symptoms?

  You can relieve symptoms of scarlet fever by:

  • drinking cool fluids
  • eating soft foods if you have a sore throat
  • taking painkillers like paracetamol to bring down a high temperature (do not give aspirin to children under 16)
  • using calamine lotion or antihistamine tablets to ease itching

   

  Where to get more information?

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/

   

   

  As a school we have strict measures in place for managing infection prevention and we follow the National Guidance (link below) for managing infection prevention control and infectious diseases.

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare- facilities

   

  Additionally, please notify us immediately if your child tests positive so that we can take the necessary precautions.

   

  Yours sincerely,

   

  Miss J A Withey Headteacher

  

• KS2 Xmas play - Additional performance

  Wed 07 Dec 2022 Mr Youngman

  Dear Parent(s)/Carer,  

   

  Due to unprecedented demand, there will be an additional 3rd performance of the KS2 Carol Concert. This will be on Thursday 15th December 2022 at 10am in the Junior Hall for parents/carers of children in any KS2 year group.  

   

  We completely appreciate and understand that some families may want more family members to attend performances; however, we are bound by Health and Safety laws and Fire Regulations which permit us to fit a maximum of 80 adults at any performance. This is why we initially allocated 1 ticket to every child – every child deserves to have at least one adult watch them perform! Now that we have managed to squeeze in a 3rd performance, hopefully this will enable more family members to attend and enjoy the performance.  

   

  If you would like to swap the allocated ticket you have already received for either the Tues/Wed performance and exchange it for 2 tickets to the Thursday performance, can you please RETURN your original ticket to your child’s class teacher. Once we have received this, we will then be able to send 2 tickets home for the Thursday performance and pass your returned ticket to another family. If you wish to KEEP your original ticket, but would like an additional ticket for either the Tuesday or Wednesday performance, please indicate below and if any are available, they will be sent home with your child. Please be reassured that we will do our very best to make sure that all reasonable requests are accommodated for.  

   

  Please can we also ask that you work with us in ensuring everybody gets a fair chance at getting additional tickets by not asking for 2 tickets for every performance! As long as your child sees a family member at one of the three performances, they will be happy!  

   

  Thanks for your continuing support and Merry Christmas!  

   

  Mrs G. Hudson

  Senior Leadership Team.