Please use the guide below if you are unsure of whether to send your child to school or how long you should keep them off school.
Click here to view a brief guide in Arabic provided by Derby City Council.
1. My child has Covid-19 symptoms.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Self-isolate the whole household.
- Get a test.
- Inform the school immediately about the test result.
Your child can return to school when the test comes back negative OR a period of 10 days has passed since the symptoms started, and your child feels well.
2. My child tests positive for Covid-19.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 10 days).
- Self-isolate the whole household.
Your child can return to school when 10 days have passed since symptoms began, even if they still have a cough or loss of taste/smell (these symptoms can last for several weeks) AND your child feels well enough to attend.
3. My child has a COVID test which is negative.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Discuss when your child can come back (same day/next day).
Your child can return to school when the test comes back negative.
4. My child is ill with symptoms not linked to Covid-19.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Ring on the first day of illness.
If your child is off with a stomach upset, they can return to school 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea OR, with other symptoms, when your child feels well enough.
5. Someone in my household has Covid-19 symptoms.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Self-isolate the whole household.
- Household member to get a test.
- Inform school immediately about test result.
Your child can return to school when the test comes back negative.
6. More than one person in my household has symptoms and has taken a Covid-19 test.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Self-isolate the whole household until all test results are received.
- Inform the school immediately about the test result .
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 14 days).
Your child can return to school when all results come back negative OR after 14 days of isolation have been completed.
7. Someone in my household tests positive for Covid-19.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 14 days).
- Self-isolate the whole household.
Your child can return to school when they have completed 14 days of isolation.
8. NHS test and trace has identified my child as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed Covid-19.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Agree an earliest date for possible return (minimum of 14 days).
Your child can return to school when they have completed 14 days of isolation.
9. NHS test and trace has identified a household member (other than my child) as a close contact of somebody with symptoms or confirmed Covid-19.
- The household member must self-isolate for 14 days.
Your child can continue to attend school.
10. A sibling attending another school has been sent home to self-isolate due to their being a positive case in their school or class.
- Sibling must self-isolate for 14 days.
Gayton child(ren) can continue to attend school.
11. My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that is NOT on the exempt list of countries.
If returning from a destination where quarantine is needed*:
- minimum of 14 days self-isolation for all those who travelled.
- contact school to inform us you are back in the country and we will agree an earliest date for possible return to school.
- self-isolate the whole household.
*Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – for up to date travel information.
Your child can return to school when the quarantine period of 14 days has been completed.
12. My child has travelled abroad from a country or territory that IS on the exempt list of countries.
If returning from a destination where quarantine is NOT needed:
- check the current Exempt countries and territories list to confirm the country you have travelled from or through is on the exempt list.
- ring school to inform us you have returned to the UK and agree a return date to school.
Your child can return to school when you have informed the office of your return to the UK (the office will ask you a few questions about your travel).
13. I have travelled from a country that requires us to quarantine (but my child didn’t travel).
- As long as you do not have / have not had symptoms in the last 14 days, your child can continue to attend school.
- The person who has travelled MUST NOT leave the house, including to do pick-ups and drop offs.
14. We have received medical advice that my child must resume shielding.
- Do not come to school.
- Contact school to inform us.
- Shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again.
Your child can return to school when school inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return to school again OR you receive medical advice that your child may return to school.
15. My child’s bubble is closed due to a confirmed Covid-19 case in school.
- Child must not come to school.
- Support your child at home with remote education provided by school.
- Your child will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
- Other siblings may continue to attend school.
Your child can return to school when school inform you that the bubble will be reopened.
16. I am unable to get a test for someone in the household who has symptoms.
If you are not able to get a test in the first 5 days of having symptoms, your child and anyone they live with must stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone in your support bubble must also stay at home.
Your child can return to school when 14 days have passed since symptoms began, even if they still have a cough or loss of taste/smell (these symptoms can last for several weeks) AND your child feels well enough to attend.
17. Another child in my child’s bubble has Covid-19 symptoms.
- Child can continue to attend school.
- School will inform if the test is positive and the bubble will close. (See procedures for bubble closure above)
18. My child is ill and I’m not sure if it could be Covid-19.
Your child can return to school if results say that symptoms are unlikely to be Covid-19 related AND are well enough to attend OR arrange a test and follow procedures above if the results suggest symptoms could be linked to Covid-19.
