Requirements for entering the UK from overseas are subject to change, therefore we advise referring to the current Government Guidelines for the latest information.
We are a member of the UK’s BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association). The BSA has created a co-ordinated action to reassure pupils and parents that UK boarding schools take their responsibilities very seriously and that boarding is a safe environment to which pupils can return.
The Covid-Safe Charter is a voluntary code to which we are adhering and which, we hope, gives confidence that St Mary’s School, Cambridge is following all appropriate measures to ensure that our boarding environment is a safe one for pupils.
COVID-Safe Charter
Obviously we would want all boarders to start school at the beginning of term so they do not miss important information as well as learning time, however if this is not possible, we ask that boarders arrive as soon as possible.
If a late start to the term cannot be avoided, online learning provision will be made available.
Boarders will be placed in 'social bubbles', a concept formulated by the UK government. Each 'bubble' is rather like a family unit and will consist of small groups of boarders from the same year group who will: walk to/from school together; eat together; cook together at the weekend if desired and generally socialise with each other. The mixing of the 'social bubbles' will be prohibited until social distancing restrictions are eased in the UK.
- Boarders in years 7 and 8 will continue to live in dorms at Mary Ward House. Each year group will constitute one 'social bubble'.
- Boarders in years 9-11 will have their own single bedroom at Mary Ward House. They will live on a corridor with boarders from their year group, in bedrooms next to boarders from their 'social bubble'.
- Boarders in years 12 and 13 will live in single bedrooms
- Where possible, a bathroom will be designated to each 'social bubble' and no other boarders will be permitted to use it.
- All meals will be eaten in the Senior School's dining areas, allowing for each 'social bubble' to eat at a safe distance from another 'bubble'.
- A one-way system is in operation at Mary Ward House
All boarding accommodation (including bathrooms) will be thoroughly cleaned every day, during the week to ensure high levels of cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection.
- All boarders will be required to remove their shoes and sanitise their hands on entering their boarding accommodation.
- Mobile hand wash stations will be installed at all main entrances, including boarding entrances, for students to wash their hands with soap and warm water at a temperature of 42C.
- Signs reminding boarders to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, will be clearly displayed in toilet areas in boarding.
- World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Health Service (NHS) approved hand sanitiser will be in place across the school.
- Regular sanitisation of key touchpoints across the school will be routinely carried out at regular intervals using appropriate cleaning agents.
- Appropriate disinfectant wipes will be available to clean IT equipment such as keyboards and used for all purposes across the school when needed.
Everyone in the UK is eligible to request a test should they display symptoms of COVID-19. All boarders or day girls who display symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested - either at one of the local drive-through testing centres, or using a home test kit, and asked to isolate until the result has come back.
Testing will be carried out using the UK Government's tests that are approved by Public Health England for their accuracy and reliability. All boarders will be part of the UK Government's 'track and trace' scheme. A mobile app will shortly be deployed as part of this scheme. Currently, tracers are contacting individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has had a positive test for COVID-19, and they are then asked to self-isolate.
We can offer a third-party solution for testing, however please be aware the results from some private testing companies have not been confirmed to be 100% accurate. Any fee for such a test would need to be met by you, the parents.
Any incidents of racism and/or bullying would be taken very seriously and dealt with in line with our Behaviour, Discipline and Exclusions Policy and our Anti-bullying policy.