Plans for reopening 1st June

We have prepared a short video to explain our preparations for your child returning to school

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Dear parents and carers

Since the government announced the reopening of schools from the 1st June, we have been preparing a plan to welcome children back. The year groups to be included in this gradual and phased return are reception, year 1 and year 6. The government have also stated that key worker children from all year groups are to continue to attend school. The plan that we have carefully considered ensures that health and safety requirements are met, and these are detailed below. Whilst we are really looking forward to welcoming children back, parents are under no obligation to send children to school, it is totally your choice.

  • The health and safety of our school community has been at the forefront of all the plans. These are outlined below and are crucial to a safe, phased return.
  • If a child feels unwell and shows symptoms of COVID 19 they must remain at home and self-isolate for at least 7 days. Members of the family should self-isolate for 14 days.
  • If a child displays symptoms at school, there is a first aid room allocated for the child to wait for a parent to pick up immediately. It is essential that you update us with any new contact details.
  • All children and key workers now have access to testing facilities. If a child is tested positive for COVID 19 then parents must inform the school, and we will seek further guidance from Public Health England.
  • Stringent hand washing and hygiene practices will be in place and we have purchased additional hand sanitisers for each class room. Additional cleaning will take place throughout the day, ensuring that door handles and table tops are wiped down regularly. Every classroom will have a cleaning station with all cleaning products available for staff to use.
  • Neither children or staff are required to wear PPE. However, the school has purchased PPE for staff to use, should it be necessary and we will be following the guidance on this.
  • There will be staggered starts in 2 different entrances, staggered break times, lunch times and pick up times. These are outlined in some detail in a separate attachment.
  • Parents will not be allowed on site unless an appointment has been made at the school office. One parent only must drop off their child at the allocated time. Staff will pick up and deliver children to the gates during the staggered time slot. It is essential that parents drop off/pick up children at the allocated time.
  • There will be no more than 15 children in a classroom, and it will be possible for the group to use an additional classroom space. I have allocated 2 adults to a group to fully support the children settling into this new arrangement. Outside learning will be encouraged, especially if the weather stays fine.
  • Groups have been carefully planned so that staff and children remain in their ‘bubble,’ this is to minimise the contact with others.
  • Resources will not be shared by other children, children will sit at a desk and have their own equipment. We are supplying named pencil cases for children to keep their own equipment in.
  • Playground equipment will not be used, including the climbing frames. Any equipment that is shared will be cleaned.
  • Additional signage has been purchased to guide children and parents with social distancing measures.

Please note that the proposed plan is subject to change, because of additional government guidance and continued consultation with unions. The reopening is dependent on the government meeting its 5 targets, this is to be announced on the 28th May. This proposed plan may begin form the 1st June and will run for 2 weeks, and then will be reviewed. I have attached a ‘frequently asked questions’ document that I hope will be helpful.

I will be sending out a form for you to complete regarding your intentions about sending your child back into school. Thank you for embracing the on line learning so positively, it has been wonderful to see the videos and activities on the Google Drive. This on line learning will continue for all pupils into summer 2, and the teachers will be launching a wonderful new topic “Heroes and Helpers” which seems very relevant at this time.

It has been wonderful to see children and parents visiting for the book exchange – these arrangements will change when we reopen, but we hope to continue for years 2, 3, 4 and 5, there will be more information to follow on this.

Apologies for the length of this letter but there is a lot of information that we have had to share with you. We hope you remain safe and well and look forward to seeing you soon in some form or another.

Regards,

Miss New

Headteacher

 

Click the button below to read our Overview for planned return R 1 6 and KW

 

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