Letter from Mrs Linacre - Partial Re-Opening Plans Update

How and when will pupils of the ‘specific’ year groups re-enter school?

Although the date we will start to re-open from is currently unknown, any children coming into school will be ‘staggered’ in gradually. This is to ensure that we can carefully go through all the new procedures and expectations and take time to reassure children and attend to any emotional and wellbeing needs. Once we get a decision from the Trust, we will let you know exact dates – this again however will be dependent on what the Government say.

How will we socially distance the children?

Small groups of no more than 15 children (smaller where possible) working together with one/two members of staff as a ‘bubble family’.  Each group will be in a separate teaching room/space. An example of how they have been organised can be seen on the website in ‘news’. ‘Bubble families’ will not mix with other groups.

Staff and children in bubbles will be encouraged to social distance within their classrooms as much as possible.

Older children will be kept apart as much as possible through room design. It will not always be possible to socially distance younger children within each group. 

Open spaces and increased hygiene will be used.

To facilitate this organisation not all children will be with their own class teacher.  They will however all be with a familiar member of staff.

What will they learn?

We will provide a proper curriculum focussing on early reading and phonics for the younger children. English and Maths basic skills will be the primary focus for the older.  There will also be wider curriculum lessons and some creative learning.  Throughout the time in school there will also be a strong focus on mental wellbeing.

What other measures are in place in the classroom?

Rec, Year 1 and Year 6 children will be provided with their own equipment including some electrical devices where appropriate.  They will not share their equipment with anyone else. 

There will be access to soap and sanitiser, which will be regularly used. 

There will be regular cleaning of surfaces. 

The younger children will be provided with their own whiteboards, whiteboard pens and some additional equipment such as counters.

How will we promote good hygiene?

Children will be taught and reminded about good hygiene and will regularly wash their hands with high quality antibacterial soap. They will also be taught and reminded about ‘catch it bin it kill it’ for tissues etc.

Hand sanitiser and tissues will be in each classroom.

What will happen at break time?

We have four ‘outdoor’ play areas where groups will access play – KS1 yard, EYs yard, KS2 yard and the ball court. Playtimes will be staggered.

Each ‘bubble family’ will remain together.  They will get regular short breaks outside throughout the day.  Older children will be encouraged to play games that allow some level of distancing.  Younger children will have lots of space to run around.

Play equipment will be shared as little as possible and if it is shared, it will be cleaned between uses.

Each ‘bubble family’ will have their own box of play equipment.

What will happen at lunchtime?

Lunchtime sittings will be staggered.

Children will eat lunch either in the hall at a safe social distance or within their classroom.  They will only do so with their group.

What will happen at the start and end of the school day?

Specific Year Groups will have different entrances / exits. These will not necessarily be for their usual classroom.

The classroom doors will be open at different times and for much longer.

All doors will be open from 8:45 – 9:15.

We’d ask children with surnames A-L to arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 and those with surnames between M-Z between 9:00 and 9:15. Home time will then also be 2:45 -3:00 for those surnames A-L and 3:00 – 3:15 for those M-Z.

If you have two different children with different surnames in each category then just pick either time to arrive – it’s more important that things are staggered than the exact grouping.

On the yard and outside classrooms, please observe social distancing.

There will be markings to allow safe queues as you drop off or pick up children. 

Only one parent can accompany the child to and from school.

What should my child wear to school?

Due to the school closures and as we draw closer to the summer break, we understand that some children may no longer have a full school uniform. Where possible however we would encourage children to wear their uniform as this will help to get them back into a routine and will be something that is familiar to them. If they do not have a uniform, they should wear something comfortable like jogging bottoms and a top.

Children should NOT bring anything from home to school e.g. Book bag or PE kit.

Please make sure they have sensible shoes or trainers on their feet so that they can run around and join in physical activities.

What will happen to home schooling once the school partially re-opens?

There are no expectations that the school continues to offer home learning for the specific year groups once re-opening begins.

We have considered this however and decided that as much as possible we will continue with our home learning offer for all.

As our provision expands and more children come back to school, there may then be changes to the nature and frequency of our home learning offer.

Will staff wear PPE?

If children need intimate care, become unwell or need first aid, PPE will be provided for staff.

How can I help to protect my child and others?

• Encourage good hygiene and hand washing.
• Ensure clothing that children wear to school is kept clean regularly. It is suggested in guidance that their uniform is washed daily.

What happens if a member of staff or a pupil falls ill?

The current and up-to-date guidance at the time will be followed.

If your child falls ill at school, staff will be provided with PPE and will move the child to a safe and secure place away from others. You will be contacted to come and collect them.

If your child becomes ill at home, we request you let us know ASAP and keep your child at home for at least 7 days.

Children and staff will be eligible for government testing if they become symptomatic. If a test is positive, that person’s ‘bubble family’ and their adult(s) will have to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Further advice and guidance would be given to families should this happen.

What about the Free School Meal vouchers?

The government have said they will not fund the vouchers during half term.

For children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 they will no longer receive vouchers from June 1st as they are encouraged to be in school where they would get a free meal if entitled to one. If you choose not to send your child in, it is currently our understanding that vouchers cannot be given. Those eligible children in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 will still receive vouchers until they return to school, however we have not yet had full confirmation – I will write to you when we do.

If anyone needs support with food, please contact the school.

How will you keep us up to date?

I will keep you updated in the usual ways:

• Website ‘news’.
• APP notifications
• Through Marvellous Me
• Seesaw Class Page

Where possible we use all four of these methods to try and ensure everyone receives the updates.