Dear Parents, carers and pupils,
Following the announcement on Sunday that Primary Schools in England may open for reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils from 01/06/20. Further guidance for schools and parents was issued on Monday 11/05/2020 on the government website www.gov.uk and updated on Thursday 14/05/2020.
As you will be aware there has been a significant response from teaching professionals, NHS, unions and parents. Advice has been changing rapidly. At Whitfield St James’ CE (VC) Primary School, we want to welcome the children back as soon as it is safe to do so for pupils and staff. We have completed a detailed risk assessment and are working with unions to ensure staff and parents feel all appropriate measures have been taken.
Below is a link for a parent survey for reception, year 1 and year 6 parents to find out how many parents will be sending in their children, if school opens on 01/06/2020. This will enable us to plan and know whether opening will be possible. Below, I have outlined some of the arrangements and some details for you to make an informed judgement.
- Pupils will be in groups of maximum of 10 as this is the maximum number of pupils for the size of the rooms.
- Pupils will be kept in the same groups, with the same staff as much as possible and will not be interacting with any other group at all.
- Windows will be kept open to ensure fresh air is circulated. Warm clothes would need to be available.
- Your child may not be taught by their class teacher.
- Only the correct number of chairs and tables will be in the room. All unnecessary furniture and items that can’t be cleaned, such as toys will be removed from all classrooms.
- Pupils will have their own work station, books and stationary.
- There will be a staggered timetable for dropping off and picking up. This is an example.
- Reception – 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Year 1 – 9:15pm – 3:15pm
- Year 6 – 9:30pm – 3:30pm
- Parents, carers and guardians will be expected to practise social distancing, both in school and in the local community. We need to ensure our staff and parents are safe and if our and government guidelines are not followed, we may not accept your child based on health and safety reasons. Parents will be asked to read and agree to our guidelines which will follow.
- Outdoor activities will be used as much as possible.
- There will be no before and after school provision or clubs until September at the earliest.
- Any pupils who are unwell will be sent home. Any pupils or members of the immediate family with a confirmed case of Covid 19 will need to isolate for 14 days and that group of children’s parents will be notified and those children will not be able to come into school for 14 days. It will be requested that all members of the families are tested.
- Handwashing and social distancing routines will be in place.
- There may be a one-way system in school.
- The staff will do everything in their power to ensure the children feel safe and are well cared for. You need to be aware that school will look and feel different to what they are used to.
- All interior doors and adult supervised exterior doors will be wedged open to reduce unnecessary contact.
- Appropriate PPE will be given to staff based on advice at the time. The DFE have stated that first aid must be administered by a member of staff in goggles, face mask, plastic apron and gloves.
We will still have places for key workers and depending on developments over the coming weeks, the hub may move back to our school.
We will do a survey of nursery parents in the coming weeks.
The DFE guidelines and our advice is that although every measure will be taken, we cannot guarantee social distancing in school.
There will be more details to follow and please be assured we will do everything we can to ensure your children are happy and all possible safety measures taken. Advice is changing daily and we will keep you informed.
If your child(ren) are in reception, year 1 or year 6, please fill out the survey on the link provided. If you have not done the survey by Wednesday 20/05/2020, it will be assumed that you will not be sending your child(ren) into school.
We have all missed our pupils and their families and we would like to thank you all for your support and hard work. Your teachers and all our staff have been working hard and have missed you all.
Please take care of yourselves and stay safe.
Kindest regards
Craig Woodward Ben Powell
Headteacher Chair of Governors