22^nd May 2020

First, I’d like to thank you all for your continued support and kind words during this difficult time.  We are all looking forward to welcoming the children back after half term, although this will be in a very different manner to what they are used to. 

In order to ensure your children’s safety we have made changes to the school day, the routines and the look of classrooms: 

• Each child will be allocated a ‘bubble’.  The bubbles will consist of no more than fifteen children with two members of staff who will remain with that bubble all day.  Children will stay with their bubble and will not mix with any other bubble throughout the day. 

• Drop off, pick up, break and lunch times will be staggered to maintain social distancing.  You MUST stick to these times.  Anyone arriving to school late will need to ring the office when they get here to receive further instructions. 

• Drop off and pick up should be by ONE parent only and preferably no siblings.  Parents will not be allowed to stand and chat on school grounds due to the strict timings we need to adhere to.

• Parents will NOT be allowed into the school building unless by prior arrangement.  If you need to speak to someone in the office you will need to telephone or email them.

• Except for a packed lunch and a water bottle, children will NOT be allowed to bring any items into school and they will not be allowed to take any items home. (Water fountains have been switched off so we recommend two drinks per day.)

• Children and staff will be expected to wash their hands upon arrival in school as well as at regular times throughout the day and before they come home.  Extra soap dispensers have been installed in classrooms.

• With only a maximum of fifteen children in class, children will be encouraged and reminded to maintain social distancing.  However, as per the Government guidelines, we cannot guarantee this at all times particularly at play times.

• Each bubble will have their own equipment which will not be used by another bubble of children. Pens and pencils will be labelled with each child’s name.

• Lunches will be eaten in the classroom.  KS1 children and free school meals children do have the option of a free packed lunch being provided by the school which can be ordered on the day. No hot meals will be provided.

• You may choose to send in a packed lunch from home.  Please do not send in food that needs to be re-heated.

• Playground equipment which cannot be sanitized will be cordoned off. 

• First will always be. Each class will be equipped with a first aid kit to avoid children coming to the office.

• The Rainbow room has been set up as an isolation room equipped with PPE equipment.  In the event that a child displays symptoms of Covid 19 they will be wait in the Rainbow Room until their parent can collect them. If it is Covid 19 related, then we will contact Public health England and follow their guidance.

• Children will only use the toilets allocated to their class.

• Each classroom is equipped with cleaning equipment to ensure that the class can be cleaned regularly throughout the day. 

• There will be no breakfast or after school club.

Outlined below are the times for drop off and pick up:

• When arriving at school, a member of staff will ask if your child is well.  They may be wearing a mask and gloves.  As this may be unfamiliar and scary to children, please prepare them beforehand.

• At collection time, parents should enter by the side gate, observing social distancing and wait at least two metres from the classroom door.  Please leave via the wider top gate on the school field (there will be staff available to guide you).

• Teachers’ planning, preparation and assessment time is usually covered by another member of staff. To avoid additional members of staff entering a bubble, school will close at lunchtime (from 11.50pm) every Friday for ALL children so that teachers can have their PPA.

• The above dates are dependent on our capacity to implement our risk assessment. We will be continuously reviewing the situation.

• We cannot yet confirm whether we will be able to open Year 6 ‘bubbles’, due to social distancing and staffing requirements. We can only make a decision on if and when we can do so after a period of operating our Key Worker/Vulnerable, Year R and Year 1 bubbles. I apologise for the further inconvenience this may cause and thank you again for your understanding.

• Children of key workers and vulnerable children continue to be offered a place in our KWV bubbles from Monday 1^st June, regardless of their year group. If we then open bubbles for their year group, we may move them from the KWV bubble to one of their class bubbles

As much as we want the children back in school, we are not going to rush things.  The phased return will be staggered.  This is the plan we aim to deliver in the first two weeks in Term Six.  Please be advised that this is subject to change in the event of staff having to self-isolate or guidance received from the DfE.  In the event of this, we shall endeavour to give you as much notice as possible.

*Note: there is only one Reception bubble due to fewer pupils returning in Term 6.

In order to keep pupils and staff as safe as possible, we have added some additional measures to our Behaviour and Discipline Policy.  They are as follows:

All pupils will:

• Observe social distancing, as directed by staff, both inside and outside.

• Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds when they are directed to do so and when they have been to the toilet.

• Avoid all kinds of physical contact with any pupil or adult.
• Bring nothing in from home or elsewhere other than their packed lunch and water bottle.

• Only eat food from their own packed lunch and drink from their own water bottle.

• Use only resources provided by the school.

• Only enter and leave their classroom via the outside door, unless directed otherwise by a member of staff. 

We have taken these extensive precautions in order to minimise the risk of infection transmission from child to child, child to staff and staff to staff.  These measures should also reduce the risk of infection being transferred back to your homes and families.  We know sending your child back to school may not be an easy decision. You must do what is right for your child and your family.  The Department for Education guidelines state that you will NOT be fined for choosing to keep your child at home.  We expect that any families sending a child into school are following all government and Public Health England guidance in relation to Covid-19 such as social distancing.

During our phased re-opening, on the days that your child is not in school, or if you decide not to send your child back to school, they will still be expected to undertake the home learning set by their class teacher, on the school website class additional page.  On line support will continue during the day through email. 

Please note, if your child displays any symptoms of Covid 19, they must NOT attend school and self-isolate as per Government guidelines. In the event of a confirmed case of Covid-19 for anyone in school, then their bubble or even the whole school may need to be closed, and again we will follow Public Health England advice on this.

If you do have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well and we very much look forward to seeing you soon.

Kind regards

Nicola Clarke                                                                                  Niall Fox

Academy Principal                                                                       Executive Principal