Further information on our plans for the careful re-opening to all pupils from Monday 7th September.
We are all looking forward to welcoming all of your children back to school next week and we have been working hard to ensure that the school is ready to receive all of the children in a secure and sensitive way. Our Risk Assessment and planned model for all pupils returning have been reviewed and approved.
The changes to government guidance has allowed some flexibilities for staff to work in different bubbles. If this is the case, additional control measures will be introduced such as increased distance and/or reduced time. The school also has robust systems to monitor when staff work across bubbles through the school’s own track and trace system.
Parents must only send children into school if their child/ren or a member of their household do not have COVID-19 related symptoms. These symptoms are;
· a high temperature
· a new, continuous cough
· A loss of, or change to, your sense of taste
· A loss of, or change to, your sense of smell
If your child has any of these symptoms, it is vital that your child gets tested for COVID-19; this can be arranged online:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/
Whilst you are waiting for the test, your child needs to isolate for 10 days and all your family members of your household need to isolate for 14 days.
For more detailed information on what to do next refer to the following online link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/
What to do following a negative test:
If your child tests negative, please inform the school office with a phone call or a study bugs message and your child can then return to school. Following a negative test, the rest of the family no longer need to self-isolate.
What to do following a positive test:
You must notify the school immediately. Your child must self-isolate at home for 10 days. Anyone you live with who does not have symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days and follow the guidance available online:
How can I let the school know the results of the test?
You must notify the school immediately. This is how we can control the spread of the virus.
You will be required to provide proof of the test result. This can be done by sending a screen shot of the message you have received confirming the result.
What will happen if someone from my child's 'bubble' has been tested positive?
If anyone has to self-isolate, there will be learning available to individuals or class bubbles. This will follow the previous model we used before the Summer break.
Please click here for a parent/carer leaflet we have created. If your child has to go home, we will give this to you on collection of your child.
If a child has symptoms they will be moved to the 'Rainforest Room' (our additional medial room in response to COVID) and you will be asked to collect them immediately. Any person with symptoms must self-isolate for 10 days and the people they live with must self-isolate for 14 days.
Children will not have all of their normal lessons. We will ensure that returning to school will be a positive experience for the children. Well-being will be a priority and there will be a focus on personal, social and health education, increased opportunities for PE and plenty of outdoor learning. Reading will be at the heart of the curriculum and there will be a strong focus on this. Basic skills in English and maths will also be a priority and will be taught daily.
The children will need to wear PE kit on their designated PE day/s.
From September, the government have said that all children must attend school. We will continue to follow our school’s attendance policy which was in place before the response to COVID-19. Mrs Pitts, our Attendance Assistant, will be following up any non-attendance. It is important to remind you that holidays will not be authorised and leave of absence forms must be completed. Please contact the office via Studybugs so that we can arrange a safe collection or delivery of this form.
Our cleaning and premises staff have given the school a deep clean. A cleaner will be in school each day so there will be regular cleaning of toilets, door handles, light switches and hard surfaces during the day. All of the classrooms have been cleared of unnecessary equipment and items that are difficult to keep clean, such as soft furnishings and soft toys. Each day there will be thorough cleaning of the school. Cleaning materials are available in every classroom for staff to use if necessary.
One of our school golden rules is “ Safe”. Linked to this we have added to our Behaviour expectations a set of “Bubble Rules”. All staff will take time to ensure that children know and understand the new rules and routines . We will be regularly reminding and encouraging the children to follow these rules. We will continue to reward and celebrate positive behaviour. It is important that children follow the expectations. If a child does not and their behaviour is unsafe, we will work closely with their parents.
Please click here to see our behaviour policy.
Children should not wear masks or face coverings. Staff will not wear masks or face coverings unless they are supporting a child with symptoms, who is waiting to be picked up or they are delivering intimate care.
Regular handwashing will take place throughout the day. Children will be encouraged to follow good respiratory hygiene - ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it ’. Regular toilet breaks will be built into the day and access to toilets will be carefully managed by staff. The number of children in toilets at any one time will be limited. Toilets will be cleaned regularly throughout the day.