22nd May 2020Paul Conway

School reopening considerations (June 2020)

 

Further to recent press regarding schools reopening, we thought it would be helpful to explain what we are doing in school. From the week commencing Monday 1st June the Government asked schools to consider welcoming back children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.  As well as this,  schools have been asked to continue to provide education in school to children of critical workers. It is the Government’s ambition to then bring all primary year groups back to school before the summer holidays – however, this will be kept under review.

The definition for key workers has remained the same.  As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  From Monday 1st June, St Bernadette’s will continue to support childcare for families of key workers.  If you need to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus, please contact school.   If we believe your child is eligible for a school place next week, I will discuss logistical arrangements with you in person.  Where we are not able to offer you a place, I am extremely sorry.  All other children will need to remain at home. 

 

Staggered cohort returns June 2020 (Y1/Y6/Key workers)

The way in which this return will be managed at St Bernadette’s is as follows:

  • On Monday 1st June, we will only be receiving children of critical workers in school
  • On Monday 8th June, we will only be receiving Year 6 children and children of critical workers in school
  • From Monday 15th June, we will be receiving Year 1, Year 6 and children of critical workers in school.
  • We have not set a date for children in Nursery and Reception to return as yet.  This initial period will be monitored and a return of Nursery and Reception children will be considered following a review of our returning Year 1 and Year 6 children.
  • There is no Government directive as yet to return children in other year groups.  

Attendance (as defined by the Government May 2020)

  • The Government would like all children in eligible groups to attend school (where there are no shielding (extremely critically vulnerable)  concerns for the child (or their household).
  • If a child/young person or staff member lives in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable, as set out in the guidance on shielding, it is advised they only attend an education or childcare setting if stringent social distancing can be adhered to.  
  • If a child, young person or a member of staff lives with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), they can attend their education or childcare setting.  
  • Parents should always follow medical advice if their child or a family member is in a vulnerable category.
  • You must inform school if your child is due to return in June (Y1/Y6) but you are keeping your child at home (full time/part time).  The Government have advised that they will not be issuing fines for non attendance at this stage, however they are encouraging all children who can to attend. 
  • If your child is unwell and it is necessary for your child to be absent from school, please follow our usual school absence procedures, namely call us before 9.15am stating the reason for absence.   
  • To protect the safety of our staff and children, you must keep your child off school if they or a member of their household has symptoms of coronavirus and follow the self-isolation guidelines whilst awaiting a test and the results.  

Please can parents of all children in Year 6 and Year 1 please inform us wb 1st June if they do not intend sending their children to school so we can plan accordingly.  You have the right to change your mind at any point but please keep us informed.  ([email protected] )

 

General safety

  • To protect each and every child and adult in school we will follow Government guidance regarding self-isolation.  It is expected where symptoms of COVID-19 are apparent children/staff are booked into a test clinic.
  • PPE will be used by staff for intimate care but this is generally not recommended in educational settings.  Children will not be allowed to wear face masks in school.  
  • Our cleaning staff have continued to work throughout the partial school closure and we have conducted a thorough deep clean of all areas of the school.  On return to school we will have extensive cleaning systems throughout the day.  Additional hygiene measures will be insisted upon for all pupils, staff and any visitors. Children and adults in school must wash their hands frequently throughout the day. Children will also have regular in class information and reminders relating to how to maintain their good hygiene and minimise the spread of germs.
  • Social distancing is a key consideration of preventing the spread of COVID-19. As such we will be asking parents on collection and drop off to maintain 2m distance apart as much as physically possible.  To support this, we have placed some signs and markers to remind people of the necessity to social distance. 
  • Parents/children are encouraged to walk/cycle/scoot to school where possible and only one parent should drop off/collect their child. Children must be collected by a designated adult and are not permitted to walk to/from school alone.  Without this measure, there is an increased risk of social contact outside of school.

 

Staggered start times

In this interim period the proposed school drop off and collection arrangements will be altered as follows:

  • Y6 should arrive at school between 8.30am-8.40am and be collected between 2.35pm-2.45pm using the Key Stage 2 entrance point. 
  • Y1 should arrive at school between 8.45am-8.55am and be collected between 2.15pm-2.25pm using the Y2 entrance point. 
  • Key worker children’s official arrival time to school is 9am-9.15am and collection at 3pm-3.15pm, they will continue to use the Main office entrance point.  Key worker timings collections may be slightly more flexible as per current arrangements or if there are siblings in Y1/Y6.  Please liaise with Mr Conway/Miss Brady if this relates to you.  
  • To manage social distancing guidance we would like prompt drop off and collection times.  There are lines and arrows on our paths as a reminder to distance from each other – more than one family in each section should be avoided.  Parents must not congregate and strictly distance themselves. 
  • It is not possible to run our Schools In and Out service in this interim period.  To manage staffing ratios, adhere to social distancing guidance and keep children separated safely it would be logistically very difficult to run our wraparound service. Only in exceptional circumstances can a child be in school beyond the hours indicated above. Mr Conway/Miss Brady must authorise these cases prior to commencement of each week (where agreed normal charges will apply). 

 

In school logistics and safety considerations: 

    • Set staff will be assigned to set groups of children.  
    • All groups of children will be assigned set areas to use throughout the whole day eg a set classroom; set chairs; set individual tables; no carpet time; set toilets; set playing areas etc

 

  • On return to school our normal standards and expectations will be expected for behaviour and work, therefore from June 1st all children are asked to wear freshly cleaned school uniform each day.

 

    • Where possible we would like you to provide stationary for the children (Small pencil case including only pencil, coloured pencils, ruler, rubber).  School has stationary where this is not possible.  Stationary will stay in school, be used by individual children only and be cleaned regularly.

 

  • Children will be asked to bring a clean,empty water bottle to school each day.

 

    • Children will use one exercise book for all in school activities.  This book will remain in school.   
    • We will not be providing school reading books at this point.  Supplementary resources and materials can be found via the learning platforms.  
    • Outdoor education will be encouraged but socially distanced individual games will be taught. 
    • Throughout June our home learning and school based learning will mirror each other as much as possible so all children are able to access learning equitably. 
    • As things stand I am unsure of whether catering will be provided in school or from a central base.  If possible we would like you to provide packed lunches for your children.   Where needed we can provide lunches at the usual cost or for free school meal families, meals will be provided where required.  Please let us know if you require a school lunch otherwise we will presume you are providing your own packed lunch. 
    • Lunchtimes and playtimes will take place within sets of children and at different coordinated times across the day.   Therefore, where possible, children will not come into contact with other children outside their agreed set/year.
    • Please limit what children bring to school to only essential items – clean uniform daily (so no need for PE kits); comfortable shoes or trainers suitable for outdoors permitted in this interim period; limited stationary items on the first day if possible; packed lunch/empty bottle (taken home daily); coats; avoid bags if possible.  
    • There are still some staff who are unable to be in school as a result of vulnerability/self isolating.  Please be patient and understanding at this time.  Limit all office queries to a minimum, maintain social distancing protocol and where possible please call/email school and we will endeavour to resolve issues as soon as possible.
    • We will limit all visitors to school to essential services only and appropriate risk assessments and strict hand hygiene will be adhered to. 
    • We are monitoring all future events and trips, making decisions on a case by case basis but currently all June/July school events are cancelled such as assemblies; Masses; residentials; First Holy Communion; sports day and sporting/educational trips etc
    • We will arrange leavers events at an appropriate time in the future; even if it is into the new academic year. 

 

 

 

We hope that this letter has provided reassurance that we are taking all necessary precautions to minimise risks.  A reminder that: 

  • We will be open over half term and from Monday 1st June for children of critical workers only. From Monday 1st June, children in all year groups will continue to access home learning.  
  • We will look forward to welcoming children in Year 6 and children of critical workers from Monday 8th June.  
  • The following week (Monday 15th June) we look forward to welcoming children in Year 1, Year 6 and children of critical workers.  
  • Further updates and proposals to extend in school provision will be guided by the Government and our Trust – we will keep assessing the safety of all children and staff in our care as we cautiously move towards a brighter future.  

 

Each day we receive daily updates from the Department of Health and we are diligently following their advice.  As updates change, we will keep you informed.  We understand that this is a very difficult time, please continue to be understanding and supportive of the precautions and Government advice we are following and implementing in our school to keep everyone safe. 

 

If anyone would like to discuss the above or further logistics of school reopening, do not hesitate to make contact.  We have demonstrated how strong we are as a community of hope.  Let us continue this togetherness as we progress slowly into a new phase of normality.  Please hang on to the lessons learnt from this crisis – let us treat each other with kindness, respect and dignity. 

Kind regards

Paul Conway                                                           Sarah Brady

[email protected]                  [email protected]